It’s Karma for EVs

A new EV platform has been announced by Karma Automotive.

The flexible and modular E-Flex platform includes two motor all-wheel drive (AWD) and extended range electric vehicle (EREV) architecture.

The new platform is the final of five demonstration projects designed to illustrate Karma’s technical direction and capabilities using highly versatile EREV and battery electric vehicle (BEV) based rolling chassis systems.

Engineered with a wide range of solutions in mind, the new EV platform can be used for utes, SUVs, ‘last mile’ utility solutions and more.

Karma’s AWD Extended Range E-Flex platform offers a single motor e-drive unit on the front and rear respectively, providing the safety of AWD with enhanced acceleration and handling.

The platform is equipped with Karma’s new silicon carbide (SiC) inverter e-drive system and features an 80kWh flat floor battery with up to 386km range.

The targeted range can be extended to 796km when combined with EREV, depending on configuration and commercial application, Karma says.

It adds its E-Flex platforms leverage the company’s proprietary technology, manufacturing and design services to offer partners innovative e-mobility solutions.

Using the Karma E-Flex Platform, vehicle manufacturers 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, the company says.

“We’re very excited about this platform and how it can be used to improve our customers’ speed to market,” Karma Automotive chief operations officer Kevin Pavlov says.

“Our AWD Extended Range platform has the longest range and widest configuration of all our E-Flex platforms, allowing for high levels of efficiency and configurability to suit a variety of market needs.

“For instance, in a pickup truck (ute) application, this platform’s EREV technology may allow the driver to negotiate steeper grades and get better performance throughout their driving pattern, which is beneficial for pulling trailers or carrying full payloads.”

The E-Flex platform solutions are developed at the Karma Innovation and Customisation Centre (KICC) at its Moreno Valley assembly plant in California.

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, a high-performance platform with supercar-capable architecture, an EREV van platform and an Everyday BEV platform for economic mobility.