India
based Mahindra & Mahindra and Israel-based REE Automotive have signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore development and manufacturing of
electric commercial vehicles for global markets.
REE
Automotive is an electric platform leader and has developed the next generation
EV platform which is completely flat, scalable and modular providing customers
full design freedom to create the broadest range of EV, and autonomous vehicles
for current and future applications, including last mile delivery, MaaS, light
to medium duty EV logistics and robo taxis, according to the information
provided on the company website..
REE
has developed two core innovations: the REEcorner integrates all traditional
vehicle components into the arch of the wheel and thus carrying the REEboard –
a completely flat and modular electric platform.
The
Mahindra-REE strategic collaboration will leverage REE’s revolutionary electric
vehicle corner module and platform technology of integrating powertrain,
suspension and steering components in the arch of a vehicle wheel. This coupled
with Mahindra’s well-established vehicle design, engineering, sourcing
capability and manufacturing assets, is set to be a win-win strategic
partnership for both companies.
The
partnership will support REE’s global customer need for 200,000-250,000
electric commercial vehicle units over a few years, including potential
Mahindra’s domestic and international volumes. Production would be scaled
further to support additional volume in the global as well as Indian market.
“Our
collaboration with REE has the potential to bring a disruptive approach to a
new age of vehicles capitalizing on our respective strengths,” said Rajesh Jejurikar,
Executive Director (Auto and Farm Sectors), Mahindra & Mahindra.
“The
competitive advantages of REE’s corner modular architecture with our experience
in conventional vehicle system design, engineering, sourcing ecosystem and
significant production capacity, provides a perfect match to deliver exciting
zero emission vehicles, including autonomous vehicles, that can meet customer
needs as never before,” he added.
“We are excited to partner with Mahindra to
explore synergies that will allow us to address our customers’ needs based on
Mahindra’s footprint and capabilities. Mahindra’s unique cost structure, design
and engineering capabilities and volume flexibility will be key to our ability
to address the majority of the commercial EV market with both large volume
vehicles as well as more targeted mission-specific vehicles,” said Daniel
Barel, REE Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. “
REE’s
transformational technology is designed for current and future e-mobility
applications, including autonomous vehicles, and offers significant benefits in
terms of weight, space and total body design flexibility. The scalability of
the platform makes it ideal for any form of electric vehicle such as commercial
vehicles, mid-duty delivery trucks, last mile delivery, passenger cars, taxis
and shuttles.