Mahindra Signs MoU With Israel-Based REE Automotive For Commercial Electric Vehicles

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and REE Automotive today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore production of commercial electric vehicles for international markets.

The newformed partnership will cater to REE's global customer need for 2 lakh to 2.5 lakh electric commercial vehicle units over a few years. The number includes Mahindra's potential demand too, both in its domestic as well as international market. A release by the M&M promises that the production will be scaled further.

A well-formed partnership

REE Electric Car Flatbed (Image: REE)

Tel-Aviv based startup REE Automotive is known for its advanced standardised flatbeds for electric vehicles. Such flatbeds are essentially the easier way out for EV makers to produce a range of vehicles on a single platform.

REE¡¯s idea integrates the battery, motors and driving controls into the floor in a way that results in independent steering of wheels. REE says that its technology is designed for current as well as future e-mobility applications like autonomous vehicles. It claims that it offers ¡°significant benefits in terms of weight, space and total body design flexibility.¡±

Since the platform has been specifically created for easy scalability, it is said to be ideal for any form of electric vehicle, including commercial vehicles, mid-duty delivery trucks, last mile delivery, passenger cars, taxis and shuttles. The arrangement is thus able to reduce the cost of production of an EV drastically.

Mahindra, with its well established production capacity for automobiles, can easily build upon these flatbeds for potent electric vehicles. REE's architecture will thus enhance Mahindra's presence in the commercial electric vehicle sector. In turn, REE will leverage Mahindra's global network as well as its engineering and product development expertise.

(Image: REE Automotive)

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director (Auto and Farm Sectors), M&M stresses on this, saying "our collaboration with REE has the potential to bring a disruptive approach to a new age of vehicles capitalizing on our respective strengths."

Catering to all

Mahindra has been the front-runner in the electric vehicle industry in India. The company has since forever been associated with its electric car Reva and has asserted its presence in the commercial sector too, with periodic launches like the eVerito or even electric three-wheelers like eTreo.

Mahindra can thus leverage the flatbeds from REE Automotive practically for any commercial vehicle segment. It is to be seen what the partnership yields in the years to come.