Saietta Group has confirmed that its electric motors will power a new type of light commercial vehicle being developed by Electric Assisted Vehicles.
The company has signed an agreement to supply its AFT 140 in-hub axial flux units to Oxford-based EAV which is currently engineering the LINCS super lightweight skateboard platform.
LINCS operates as a multi-purpose platform designed to transform the way people and goods move around in urban environments.
It contains EAV-designed enclosed Li-ion batteries, has range of up to 100 miles within an urban or intra-urban environment, and a capacity of 1000kgs.
Deployed in logistics, the vehicle can act as a fully dynamic ‘hub-and-spoke’ mobile depot vehicle, delivering boxes to cargo fleets in locations such as forecourts or car parks.
LINCS can also operate as a simple covered urban van, open pick-up, or drop side.
The platform will also feature a ‘road train’ capability where, on inter-urban or urban deployments, multiple LINCS can be connected into a single autonomous vehicle.
It features driving controls and in-cab systems and has also been designed for future fully autonomous operations.
The vehicle is now in prototype build, with extensive testing due to take place from March next year, and customer deliveries expected to start at the beginning of 2023.
Nigel Gordon-Stewart, Executive Chairman at EAV said, “The technology development and supply agreement with Saietta Group is a crucial step in the development and introduction of this ground-breaking new vehicle.
“Saietta’s work on Axial Flux electric motors is way ahead of the curve and, with their in-wheel application, we’re able to use maximum space on the platform deck so we can carry more goods more efficiently.
“We’re also able to develop the chassis, suspension and steering of LINCS to new standards to be ultra-low maintenance and highly effective in urban locations where minimal impact on infrastructure is vital.”
