In the new case of "electric skateboard" platform, how does Karma change the automobile industry with Silicon Valley thinking?

E-FLEX platform is a forward-looking initiative and layout with an eye to the future, and will continue to benefit from sustainable automotive solutions.

Although Karma is only a start-up company in the field of new energy vehicles, it is famous for its proprietary "electric skateboard" platform-e-Flex platform. So, what is an "electric skateboard" platform? In fact, the "electric skateboard" platform is more like building a car with Silicon Valley thinking, which is different from the traditional concept of building a car.

In the field of traditional automobile manufacturing, "platform" usually refers to the so-called automobile chassis: suspension, engine link point, gearbox, door, fuel tank and other integrated positions, which is also the most expensive and complicated thing that traditional automobile manufacturers have to do in the process of manufacturing automobiles.

Lead in research and development

Nowadays, in the field of new energy vehicles and smart cars manufacturing, a new platform called "electric skateboard" has appeared, which usually has the following characteristics:

First of all, the flat battery is the core of its structure, which can be easily lengthened or shortened for different models without causing too much interference to the vehicle chassis.

Secondly, compared with the engine, transmission system and transmission system of most fuel vehicles, the compact engine at the end or corner of the skateboard is lighter.

Third, the throttle can eliminate the hard mounting points and interference of all control systems through wire control, braking, drive control and even steering system. Because the "electric skateboard" platform can't accommodate the traditional bogie, the steer-by-wire system is adopted. Because of this, the physical connection between the steering wheel and the road is eliminated, which can provide greater flexibility in cab design, driver position and driving configuration.

Fourthly, considering the change of consumers' tastes, the "electric skateboard" platform can reduce the complexity of the assembly line and improve the manufacturing efficiency of automobile manufacturers.

In other words, the "electric skateboard" platform usually owns all the mechanical parts of the vehicle, including motor, battery pack, steering gear, suspension and so on. And can accommodate front and rear or dual motor powertrains, so you can drive without a car body, just put a new car body on the "electric skateboard" platform to launch different models. This brand-new fully expandable electric vehicle platform can adapt to a series of different vehicle sizes and body styles.

"By using the' electric skateboard' platform, the complexity of the electric vehicle production line can be effectively reduced, thus simplifying the standardization process of electric vehicles and reducing the development cost of electric vehicles, thus transferring the saved expenses to consumers in order to quickly respond to changing market demand and user preferences in the future." Zhang Zhiguo, executive vice president of Kama China, further explained.

Lead the way

In this context, the E-FLEX platform launched by Kama Automobile is actually an active practice and bold attempt of the "electric skateboard" platform. In the first quarter of this year, Karma Automobile officially launched the E-Flex platform, which can carry five chassis technologies with different functions, up to 22 products with different configurations and performances, and cover a variety of battery packaging schemes and motor drive systems. It is mainly suitable for self-driving multi-purpose trucks, extended-range trucks, daily commuter cars and high-performance super sports cars, which can completely meet all the needs of automobile manufacturers.

More importantly, Karma's E-Flex platform is not a "testing water" product. Since its inception, a number of extended chassis technologies, pure electric chassis technologies and concept car verification have been released successively. Most of the components on the platform have been tested for more than 654.38+0 million miles and passed the market verification of independent products.

For example, extended-range electric vehicle chassis technology has been applied in Karma? 2020? Riviero? On GT models; In addition, the extended-range multifunctional truck chassis technology cooperated with Wenyuan WeRide and NVIDIA is applied to L4 self-driving trucks. Soon after, Karma Automobile's first pure electric sports car, KarmaRevero? GT？ E was born; In the future, the E-Flex platform will launch more pure electric vehicle chassis technologies and proof-of-concept vehicles.

At present, Karma is seeking more cooperation opportunities with domestic and foreign OEMs, which means that the OEMs it cooperates with can produce electric vehicles needed by the market without building their own exclusive electric platform. As a part of future cooperation, Karma can provide engineering services to the main engine factory, not only providing technical support, but also helping them to launch their own electric vehicle products faster with lower development costs.

"Karma E-Flex platform is of great significance to partners and the entire automotive industry. It is more inclusive and flexible. Through cooperation and cost sharing, it not only brings new development ideas and solutions to the automobile industry, but also allows more enterprises to enter the field of electric vehicles. " Zhang Zhiguo said.

B Duan fruit

With the advent of the era of new energy vehicles and smart cars, it is time for OEMs to start speeding up skateboarding. With the help of E-FLEX platform, Karma automobile is a forward-looking move and layout with an eye to the future, which is enough to attract the attention of major automobile manufacturers.

On September 29th, 2020, AYRO, Inc., an engineer and manufacturer of light, urban and short-distance electric vehicles (EV), announced the establishment of a strategic manufacturing, engineering and design partnership with Karma Automotive Innovation and Customization Center (KICC). Through this cooperation, AYRO, Inc will make use of the most advanced KICC, Karma automotive engineering resources and Karma automotive design studio to provide professional technology and contract manufacturing services for its next-generation light vehicles.

It is reported that the goal of the cooperation between the two companies is to deliver more than 20,000 light trucks and electric distribution vehicles in the next three years by combining the end users, market and engineering expertise of AYRO, Inc., as well as KICC's manufacturing capabilities, development experience and global supply chain capabilities, with a value of more than 300 million US dollars. In addition, this cooperation will initially serve North America, but in the future, the supply chain capabilities and resources of the two companies can be used to meet the needs of the global market.

At present, in KICC's factory in Moreno Valley, California, special inventory space and assembly line have been planned for AYRO's electric vehicles. It is not difficult to see that KICC's vertical integration development capability, including the integration of frame/chassis manufacturing, manufacturing center, body workshop, robot painting workshop and powertrain, can make the cooperation between the two parties quickly respond to the unique task-oriented configuration and manufacturing needs of customers and markets.

"The two companies meet the specific needs of the market by providing customizable vehicles with different skill sets. Karma will help AYRO's products approach the top level in the industry and give us a strategic advantage in the special electric vehicle market. " Rod Keller, CEO of AYRO, said this.

Since the establishment of KICC last year, Karma has been providing electric vehicle technology, platform and engineering design services to different customer groups. The strategic cooperation with YRO Company is regarded as a major breakthrough in its B-side business. In the future, the "platform * * * sharing" model will definitely help Karma continue to benefit from sustainable car solutions.

The international brand of new energy vehicles, represented by Karma, redefines the automobile platform through a brand-new electronic and electrical architecture, which is an innovative embodiment of the automobile industry turning to Silicon Valley. Traditional car companies such as Hyundai, Kia and Nissan have also started the "elephant" turn in this field, or jointly developed with new energy car brands, or independently laid out the electric skateboard architecture platform, all of which show the vigorous vitality of the electric skateboard platform.

This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.