As the auto industry continues its march towards full electrification, the path to mainstream EV adoption has become somewhat murky, with lower-than-expected consumer demand for electric vehicles and shifting strategies among automakers. As such, some brands are opting to leverage dynamic vehicle platforms capable of cradling multiple powertrain types. Now, one expert has outlined how dynamic platforms are the future for electrification.
Industry expert Sam Fiorani provided his insight into the auto industry’s ongoing EV transformation in a recent interview with Autoweek. Fiorani, vice president for Global Forecasting for AutoForecast Solutions, describes dynamic vehicle platforms as underlying vehicle architectures that can accommodate a variety of different powertrain types, such as gasoline, electric, or hybrid.
Stellantis’ STLA Platforms serve as a prime example. These platforms are described as “BEV-native,” meaning they are designed for battery electric vehicles, but they can also support hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or gasoline engines as needed. This flexibility allows Stellantis to adapt to consumer demand without being locked into a single powertrain type, optimizing costs and manufacturing processes. This flexibility is also crucial when it comes to adapting to ongoing shifts in consumer demand and optimizing resource utilization.
Ford takes a slightly different approach with the F-150 Lightning. Currently, the Lightning is built on a conventional ICE-powered F-150 chassis, which is adapted for use as an EV. However, the next-generation F-150 Lightning will be based on a skateboard-type platform designed specifically for electric vehicles, which will still cut engineering and manufacturing costs. Tesla also plans the launch a next-generation platform to underpin several models and cut costs.
Meanwhile, General Motors is continuing to develop its Ultium platform, which is designed exclusively for EVs. However, The General is also exploring plug-in hybrid options to maintain flexibility in its offerings, although it’s unclear exactly what will underpin the new GM PHEVs.
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Comments
GM is last to the party again
Engineering for refrigerators on wheels. Difficult to see how one basic chassis design could effectively accommodate both high performance ICE & BEV. Much different weight distribution and loads within these vehicles. Just another way to lower costs for buyers of lower-performance auto appliances.
If might sound like a good idea to make “dynamic vehicle platform”, but there will always be compromised doing it. It’s easy for Ford to stuff some batteries into a truck frame. The problem is they have a small pack for an EV truck. Whereas GM has a dedicated platform and has the largest pack and range.
“Jack of all trades, master of none”
Consumer Says ‘Obsolescence’ Is The Future For Electrification
GM is actually doing it correctly for once. Good for GM
One issue is they are still utilizing parts from their ICE catalog which tend to be much heavier/bigger and it is making their vehicles a lot heavier than they should be. Lack of Frunks is the outcome of too many parts bin utilization. They need to make BEV specific parts so they can offer Frunks.
The companies that will try to sell ICE vehicles stuffed with batteries everywhere will most likely be the Legacy companies that will be dying a slow death in the future.
A Tesla Model 3 weighs the same as a BMW 3 Series. Legacy needs to design from the ground up.
The range of the upcoming Dodge Chargers is borderline a joke for such a HUGE pack. And it has to do with the platform and parts from ICE programs being way too heavy to compete.
Most consumers nowadays do their homework and they know what they are getting themselves into (Not All Obviously) and this is why I am glad GM is doing the transition correctly.
Two things I wish GM will change is to keep cutting weight on their BEV’s as if their existence depended on it and please GM get away from using Pouch Batteries and into Cylindrical ones ASAP.
As long as they ditch the lithium battery poison bomb’s and go for at least the sodium batteries.. cars shouldn’t be toxic nightmares.
Since a battery system can weigh over 900 pounds, it is not suitable for a small car because of the percentage of weight to power ratio. Because of the higher weight for an EV, the tires wear out faster and the insurance costs more, some are paying close to $3,000 a year for insurance just because they own an EV. .