The era of electric vehicles is subverting our traditional perceptions. Will the century-old luxury brand Mercedes-Benz continue to lead in the era of electric vehicles? A lot of people are already skeptical. Electric vehicles are significantly different from internal combustion engine vehicles, and in addition to hardware conditions, software services are also evaluation criteria.
In this article, we introduce you to the pure electric platform of the three major new car-making companies in the United States. They are Tesla, Rivian, Lucid.
[1] Tesla
The strongest player in the era of electric vehicles is undoubtedly Tesla. Tesla started out as a model of The Lotus, making an electric car. Because it is the main structure of the internal combustion engine. For this reason, the battery is located at the rear of the vehicle.
The integrated platform can reduce the production line, improve efficiency, shorten the development cycle of the separate platform for new cars, and improve quality. Tesla has also noticed this.
Tesla launched a platform specifically for electric vehicles when it mass-produced the Model S in 2014. It is called a skateboard platform. The skateboard platform originated in 2002 when GM first introduced it in a concept car called the High Wire. The platform is equipped with standardized modules such as batteries and electric motors on a skateboard platform, which are key components of electric vehicles. Heavy batteries can be placed under the vehicle to maximize sporty performance. It also has advantages in improving cornering performance and preventing rollover accidents. In addition, the effect of increasing the torsional stiffness can be seen. The platform is also used in the Like X and Model 3, among others.
Recently, skateboard platforms that have been widely used by various brands have been simple. In the past, in the era of the internal combustion engine, the platform played the most important role, being the skeleton on which the engine and transmission were mounted. In the era of electric vehicles, platforms should be equipped with batteries and electric motors in the form of modules, and should be lightweight and easy to assemble. It is also possible to share vehicle information using the same platform.
When Tesla launched the Model Y, the platform was slightly modified. Stamping technology was introduced to reduce the number of parts and stamp them as a single panel. By stamping multiple parts into one panel, costs are reduced and production speeds are increased. Compared to the Model 3, the difference in the number of parts in the Model Y is clearly visible. The number of parts that go to the bottom of the rear of the Model 3 is 70, while the number of parts in the Model Y has been reduced to two.
The platform does not have a separate name. Tesla plans to use more advanced platforms in the future, simply put, the way batteries perform certain functions of the body. By using it, the battery can be dispersed throughout the body, maximizing space and enhancing body rigidity.
This is closely related to the large broadcast that Elon Musk disclosed on Battery Day 2020. The vehicle is mainly divided into three parts, the front and rear are made into separate blocks. The new platform is done by connecting the newly developed parts to the bodywork. The number of parts can be significantly reduced and production costs and time can be significantly reduced. This will reduce the weight of the vehicle and allow it to travel longer distances.
【2】Rivian
Rivian, like Tesla, is an American electric car startup. It was founded in 2009 by an engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Last year, electric pickup trucks and electric SUVs were released one after another, and they have attracted much attention recently.
Like Tesla, it uses a platform in the form of a skateboard. The platform can be equipped with one to four electric motors. What is unique is that the suspension, battery-dependent system, thermal management system and hydraulic roll control system are all integrated into the platform. The platform also includes Level 3 fully autonomous driving capabilities. Once this technology is complete, all vehicles equipped with the Rivian Skate Mode platform will be able to taste the same level of autonomous driving technology.
Models using the platform include the R1S SUV and pickup truck R1T released last year. Rivian also sold the platform to Ford to use the Rivian platform to develop Lincoln electric vehicles.
【3】Lucid
Lucid is also considered one of Tesla's competitors. Founded in the United States in 2007 by Bernard Che and Sam Weng, Tesla vice presidents and board members. Initially, it was a battery-related startup, but in 2016, it changed its name from Atieva to Lucid and began making electric cars seriously.
Lucid also uses a skateboard type with a flat structure. What sets it apart from other purely electric platforms is the miniaturization of electric motors. It is small enough to fit in a suitcase. By reducing the size of the motor, the internal space can be further expanded. In addition, it also has the advantages of long cruising range and strong acceleration and explosiveness.
In addition, it is a modular platform that can freely increase or decrease in size depending on the size and shape of the body. As evidence, the first production model, the Lucid Air, is a sedan, while the Gravity, which is scheduled to be released on the same platform in 2023, is an SUV. As we all know, they are even ready to use the platform to launch pickup trucks.
The measure of the success of electric vehicles starts with the platform. The gap between models with dedicated platforms and models without platforms is large enough for consumers to feel.