Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC), a UK-based designer and manufacturer of low-to-medium volume EVs, both under its own brand and for third parties, has revealed a lightweight, high-performance architecture it has developed for electric passenger vehicles.
WEVC says this sophisticated ‘off-the-shelf’ EV platform complies with the latest safety standards and enables low-volume vehicle manufacturers to launch next-generation zero emission sports cars and other small series, bespoke EVs more quickly and cost-effectively than developing their own platforms.
The new platform follows on from the launch of WEVC’s electric light commercial vehicle, the eCV1, based around WEVC’s Passenger And Commercial EV Skateboard (PACES) architecture, which the company says has attracted strong interest from blue-chip companies. The new passenger vehicle platform is also based around the PACES architecture.
PACES is an adaptable bonded aluminium platform specifically designed for low volume manufacturing, with key qualities being flexibility, scalability, light weight and low cost. According to WEVC the platform can be applied to almost any size or shape of passenger EV, from a sports coupe to a roadster to off-road buggy – whether a FWD, RWD or AWD layout – and is designed to meet ISO regulations and European Small Series Type Approval crash standards.
The key to PACES’ capability is its structure system. Whereas some large-volume aluminium skateboard concepts use bespoke, complex and expensive corner-castings, PACES is composed of lightweight extrusions – flat, laser-cut pieces – that interlock and bond together. This design, named FlexTech, enables PACES chassis to be low cost, rigid and accurate, delivered to within 1mm of variability across the whole platform.
As a result, FlexTech requires little upfront investment in tooling or post-assembly machining, further cutting manufacturing cost, while its ‘module-to-chassis’ system means batteries are integrated to the primary structure rather than having a separate battery pack, optimising stiffness and minimising weight.
Neil Yates, CEO of WEVC, said of the platform: “Electrification is a major challenge for small series manufacturers. With low sales volumes, it is difficult for these businesses – whether start-ups or established brands – to invest in their own new EV technology and develop it in-house. WEVC’s PACES architecture is a highly sophisticated, lightweight off-the-shelf flexible platform that is not only cost-effective but has been designed to meet ISO and European Small Series Type Approval crash standards.
“This cutting edge, modular platform has been specifically designed for low-volume manufacture, a ‘blank sheet of paper’ providing the best possible structural and dynamic starting point for almost any future high-performance EV, whether a featherweight rear-drive roadster, luxurious coupe or off-road buggy. It also comes fully supported by our leading UK-based EV technology supply chain and, of course, WEVC’s in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
“We are experiencing surging global demand from customers keen to launch bespoke electric passenger vehicles – and our unique, proprietary offering enables brands to make the EV transition quickly, cost-effectively and with optimised technology, resulting in a product tailored exactly to their needs,” added Yates.
