#SKATEBIRD PLATFORMS FREE#

For a given footprint, you get much more interior space and there’s more design freedom as well to create some radical looking cars. This allows designers to fully exploit the architecture to get the best weight and space efficiency. Unlike the Sigma platform, which has its roots in an IC engine architecture, skateboards are developed grounds-up purely for EVs.

The third phase for TPEML would be products built on a skateboard, which is a pure EV platform. Grounds-up new skateboard architecture from Tata Click here for more details on the upcoming Sierra EV as well as its launch timeline. The Sigma platform will spearhead the second phase of TPEML’s product offensive, including future products like the Sierra EV. As a result, Sigma-based models are likely to be lighter, more energy efficient and more spacious than an IC engine conversion EV. Hence, Tata Motors is re-engineering the platform around the battery pack to avoid any compromises. The platform is optimised for electrification, unlike the Tigor’s, where the battery pack has to be split between the fuel tank and the spare wheel area.

#SKATEBIRD PLATFORMS FREE#

The transmission tunnel has been removed, the fuel tank area modified and the side members have been pushed to the sides to create a flat floor to free up space for a large battery pack. The Sigma platform is, in fact, based on the existing ALFA or X4 architecture (which underpins the conventionally powered Altroz and Punch), but is heavily modified for electrification. Sigma is the second platform after the Nexon and Tigor conversions. This limits the battery size and, hence, the driving range that can be provided.Īs such, Tata is developing a bespoke, electric-only ‘Sigma’ architecture for future models. Since the architecture is originally designed around a combustion engine in mind, space has to be carved out elsewhere in the cabin for a battery pack, without changing the hard points of the vehicle’s structure.

While an ICE to EV conversion reduces the time for developing and launching battery electric models, it does come with its set of drawbacks. To read more about the Tata Nexon Coupe EV, click here. TPEML is also working on a larger, coupe version of the Nexon EV, based on the same X1 platform. Rather than develop a radical new EV, which would take years and customers may not be ready for, Tata Motors took the quick and easy-to-market route of a pure conversion of an IC engine car into an EV. The first phase of Tata’s EV strategy kicked off well before TPEML was formed, with the Nexon EV. Electric skateboard, built for EVs from the ground up, to follow in the future.Bespoke EV platform, dubbed Sigma, to be used for Sierra EV.IC engine vehicle platform to underpin Nexon Coupe EV.These platforms, which include a converted IC (internal combustion) engine platform, a bespoke EV platform and eventually, a skateboard, will be launched in three distinct phases, but work on them has begun parallelly. Fresh with capital infusion, TPEML has devised a three-platform strategy that will underpin the company’s model line-up for the next decade. Tata Motors recently spun off its electric vehicle vertical into a dedicated division, dubbed Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited (TPEML).

Skatebird platforms