Automotive Engineering - December 2022 - 10

TECHNOLOGY
REPORT
CHASSIS
Williams debuts new flexible platform for BEVs and FCVs
The EVR subframes
are formed from both
cast and extruded
aluminum. The
choice of horizontal
suspension and
damping hardware is
to provide packaging
space for drive
components at the
rear and space at
the front for power
electronics and frontdrive
motor where
required.
SAE INTERNATIONAL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Srinivasa (Sri) Srinath, Ph.D
President
Jeff Hemphill
2021 President
Todd Zarfos
2023 President Elect
Susan Ying, Ph.D
Vice President - Aerospace
Daniel Nicholson
Vice President - Automotive
Michael Weinert
Vice President -
Commercial Vehicle
Andrew Jeffers
Treasurer
Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) has
unveiled its latest product, the EVR electric
vehicle platform. It has been designed to provide
an accelerated start to a high-performance
EV platform for OEMs.
As unveiled at the 2022 Low Carbon Vehicle
Show at the Millbrook Proving Ground in the
U.K., the EVR platform consists of a central
carbon-fiber tub, supported on massive front
and rear subframes. The tub is described as the
core platform and has been designed so that it
can be modified without needing new tooling.
The rear subframe carries the control systems,
dual-motor drive system and suspension, while
the front subframe carries the front suspension
and steering hardware. A steer-by-wire system
was fitted to the prototype; conventional steering
also would be available. Steer-by-wire would
enable either left or right-hand drive configurations
without the need to modify the tub.
As displayed, the platform is equipped with
twin-motor rear drive, but a single front-drive
motor also is envisaged as an alternative.
Regenerative braking will be a standard feature.
The platform has been designed to handle
1,650 kW (2,212 hp) of power, with around 680
Nm (502 lb-ft) from the dual-motor platform.
The prototype is fitted with an 85-kWh battery
pack. Rapid charging using a 350-kW charger
will provide an 80% charge in less than 20 minutes,
the company claims.
The propulsion system is expected to deliver
0-60mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration in less than
1.9 seconds, with a projected top speed of
10 December 2022
around 350 km/h (217 mph). With a body fitted,
the vehicle is expected to weigh around 1,800 kg
(3,968 lb) in road trim - or in track specification
with two-wheel-drive, around 1,650 kg (3638 lb).
Williams has designed the platform to take either
fixed-roof or open-top targa bodywork.
The battery is housed at the rear of the carbon-fiber
tub where it forms part of the structure.
The base of the battery is tied in with the
rear subframe. The subframes are formed from
both cast and extruded aluminum. The choice
of horizontal suspension and damping hardware
is to provide packaging space for drive
components at the rear and space at the front
for power electronics and front-drive motor
when chosen. To date, testing has been virtual.
Hardware testing is due before year's end.
Fuel cell details
The project is the result of around 13 months'
work to date. While the prototype is a battery
electric vehicle (BEV), WAE also is working on
a hydrogen fuel cell (FCV) hybrid variant. The
fuel cell would be intended as a lightweight,
high-performance range extender. The battery
pack would effectively be halved in size, to
provide space for the fuel cell system and 100L
high-pressure hydrogen tank.
" When we have the hydrogen variant, we have
a 40-kWh battery, as opposed to 85 kWh.
Essentially, the way we've done this is by taking
the same footprint-packaging model we've got
for the BEV " , explained project engineer Sam
Dew. " We've cut the battery in half, dropped it
David L. Schutt, Ph.D
Chief Executive Officer
Gregory L. Bradley, Esq.
Secretary
Judy Curran
Rhonda Walthall
Joan Wills
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or contact SAE Member Relations Specialist
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more information, please visit students.
sae.org/chapters/collegiate/ or contact
SAE Member Relations Specialist Abby
Hartman at abby.hartman@sae.org.
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
WAE
http://www.sae.org/sections http://www.sae.org/chapters/collegiate/
Automotive Engineering - December 2022

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