New Lightweight Architecture for Electric Passenger Vehicles Unveiled by UK's WEVC

Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC), a UK developer of low-to-medium volume EVs, has revealed a new lightweight, high-performance architecture for electric passenger vehicles. The new architecture enables low-volume manufacturers to make the zero-emission transition quickly and cost-effective via an ‘off-the-shelf’ EV platform.

The announcement follows the launch of WEVC’s UK-designed and engineered electric light commercial vehicle, the eCV1.

Both the new platform and the EV are based around WEVC’s Passenger And Commercial EV Skateboard (PACES) architecture.

PACES can be applied to almost any size or shape of passenger EV, from sports coupe to roadster to off-road buggy– across FWD, RWD and AWD layouts – designed to meet ISO regulations and European Small Series Type Approval crash standards.

Neil Yates, WEVC's CEO, says: “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."

He adds: “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.”

WEVC is a leader in the niche EV passenger, sportscar and light commercial vehicle sectors with production facilities in Cornwall and the Midlands in the UK.