Watt Electric Vehicle Company launches platform for specialist EVs

Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) has launched a new platform that will underpin a variety of specialist electric commercial vehicles.

The company plans to build up to 5,000 LCVs on the platform each year, at a new facility in the Midlands.

Called Passenger And Commercial EV Skateboard (PACES), the architecture has been designed to enable the niche vehicle industry to meet the “considerable challenges” of transitioning to an electric future, by providing an “off-the-shelf” solution.

PACES can be customised for different body styles, sizes and configurations, supporting low-to-medium volume manufacturers, specialist vehicle converters or start-ups, and complies with
ISO regulations and European Small Series Type Approval safety standards.

WEVC says the platform is capable of providing the basis for a whole new range of bespoke electric last mile, vans, trucks and buses. Production is scheduled to start in Q3 2023.

The first prototype electric commercial vehicle, based on PACES, will be revealed by the end of Q1 2022. The project is supported by Innovate UK through its Transitioning To Zero Emission Vehicles Collaborative Research and Development competition.

Neil Yates, founder and owner of Watt Electric Vehicle Company, said: “Our PACES architecture and manufacturing processes are flexible and scale-able, a first “off-the-shelf” product specifically targeted for the low-to-medium volume industry capable of supporting any type of EV, with a
cell-to-chassis structural battery system that optimises chassis stiffness and minimises vehicle weight.

“With ever-increasing pressure on urban emissions, coupled with the growth in home delivery, we have been approached by multiple commercial vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators, who are in desperate need of developing the next generation of electric vans, trucks and buses.

“As electrification of the sector only accelerates, what these companies need is a ready-to-go, sophisticated yet cost-effective EV platform on which to build their vehicles – that is Watt Electric Vehicle Company’s PACES architecture.”