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Is Our World Ready for Electric and Autonomous Cars? It Sure Is, Thanks to REE

Israeli start-up Ree is meeting the demand for electric vehicles, but not how you would expect from an EV manufacturer. If you’ve had a look in the gallery you’d know what's up.
REEboard 14 photos
Photo: REE Automotive
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As you’ve noticed, there isn't a vehicle in sight. What you’re actually looking at is the possible foundation for a wide range of electric or autonomous vehicles. And on that note we shall begin.

What Ree is doing is bringing us a platform upon which to build. Known as a skateboard platform, it has become the most widely used EV platform around. The reason behind its wide use is because it offers a massive amount of space within the compartment of the eventual car, due to the fact that all battery and motor components are housed right there in the board, offering the possibility for modular design.

REEboard
Photo: REE Automotive
The highlight of the company's work is known as the REEboard. It’s a flat, scalable and modular platform that includes all components such as the battery pack, wheels, suspension, and even the propulsion system or electric motors. The goal behind the REEboard is to offer a one-size-fits all product, enabling REE to potentially monopolize the market.

A wonderful aspect of this type of platform is its ability to reduce the overall weight of a so-called chassis to nearly half of classic I.C. engines. This is done by applying a number of technologies that have been in the works for years.

One of the technologies that REE has focused on is a single-wheel propulsion and braking system. Now, it’s not so much a new thing to have independent motor components in each wheel, so we can't be so surprised. Or can we?

REEboard
Photo: REE Automotive
REEcorner, as they call, it is a fully independent propulsion, braking, steering, and suspension system, for each wheel. And remember the board has four corners, meaning the board has four entire systems on each corner.

Now I get that, but what are the benefits of something like this? For starters, imagine you’re driving along and suddenly you hear a boom from the back of the vehicle. Your smartphone screen turns on and a voice explains to you that one of your four motors has blown out.

And then the voice continues, “There is no need for an emergency stop. Three remaining motors are currently functioning within safety parameters. With current driving conditions, there will be no need to service this motor for another 75 miles. A service shop is located within 4 miles of your current location. Would you like me to set a route?

REEboard P4
Photo: REE Automotive
Think about that for a moment. This sort of mechanism is possible for all other systems of the board, from suspension to steering. The only real problem is if you’re hit with an EMP, and what are the chances of that?

But where’s the rest of the car? I can’t imagine just laying down on the platform while you head to work. Well, I can, but that’s not what this is.

The platform is only a base for a number of vehicle types. And since REE is working with over 300 Tier 1 companies worldwide, you know they can follow through on their promise. That being said, we are presented with five different platforms to choose from, with a weight range from nearly two tons, all the way up to seven tons. From personal vehicles to logistical vehicles, REE has a platform for that.

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About the author: Cristian Curmei
Cristian Curmei profile photo

A bit of a nomad at heart (being born in Europe and raised in several places in the USA), Cristian is enamored with travel trailers, campers and bikes. He also tests and writes about urban means of transportation like scooters, mopeds and e-bikes (when he's not busy hosting our video stories and guides).
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