Karma Automotive showcases extended range E-Flex platform for CV applications

Karma Automotive has showcased its E-Flex utility van platform with extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) architecture. The platform is one of five demonstration projects designed to illustrate the company’s technical direction and capabilities through the use of highly versatile EREV and battery electric (BEV) chassis systems.

Karma says the new EREV E-Flex Van platform provides the ability to have a flexible all-electric range up to 200 miles (321km), and combined range of over 400 miles (642km) depending upon configurations and commercial applications. The OEM says that it is suitable for a variety of mobility solutions, the EREV van platform can also be retrofitted to products including commercial delivery fleet vehicles, shuttle buses, tradesman service vehicles, camper vans and more. This technology provides a host of benefits including sustainable driving with extended range due to the on-board generator, adherence to clean air zones for city driving and quieter transport for passengers.

Karma says its E-Flex platform leverages the company’s proprietary technology, manufacturing and design services to offer partners innovative electric mobility solutions. Using the platform, OEMs can optimise development costs to engineer, test, certify and build an EREV or BEV platform, allowing electrification of their products with greater speed and efficiency.

Lewis Liu, VP – Business Development, Karma Automotive said: “Electrification represents a growing shift in the mobility industry, not only in consumer vehicles but in commercial vehicles as well. Karma is staying ahead of the curve by offering electric platform solutions for partners’ new and existing products. Our Karma EREV E-Flex van platform offers a variety of e-powertrain configurations and a flexible design. We provide the canvas for our partners to create mobility solutions their way, while integrating Karma technology that has been featured and validated by our 2020 Revero GT on the road today.”

The EREV Van platform can be delivered as powertrain kit for existing chassis or can be delivered as the E-Flex platforms These solutions are developed at the Karma Innovation and Customization Center (KICC), at its state-of-the-art assembly plant in Moreno Valley, Calif. All E-Flex platforms feature proven Karma technology including production Revero GT drive motors in various configurations, gearbox, suspension, subframes and steering, in addition to production body structure parts. The company says most components have achieved over a million miles of testing and in-market validation, ensuring proven knowledge and award-winning vehicle technology are featured in each platform.

The EREV van platform is the latest in a series of development projects featuring the Karma E-Flex Platform. Other Karma E-Flex platform exhibitions recently showcased include the company’s signature EREV platform, a BEV van equipped with SAE Level 4 autonomous technology, and a high-performance platform with supercar-capable architecture. Additional components also available include Karma’s new SiC inverters. Karma also recently announced plans to build its future Revero GTE; a pure battery-electric version of its award-winning Revero GT, on a dual-motor Karma E-Flex Platform.