[Bibendum90949]

https://www.autocarindia.com/car-new...gy-423480?s=08

- IC engine vehicle platform to underpin Nexon Coupe EV.
- Bespoke EV platform, dubbed Sigma, to be used for
Sierra EV.
- Electric skateboard, built for EVs from the ground up, to
follow in the future.

Tata’s electric-only Sigma platform

While an ICE to EV conversion reduces the time for developing and launching battery electric models, it does come with its set of drawbacks. 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. This limits the battery size and, hence, the driving range that can be provided.

As such, Tata is developing a bespoke, electric-only ‘Sigma’ architecture for future models. Sigma is the second platform after the Nexon and Tigor conversions. 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.

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 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. Hence, Tata Motors is re-engineering the platform around the battery pack to avoid any compromises. As a result, Sigma-based models are likely to be lighter, more energy efficient and more spacious than an IC engine conversion EV.

The Sigma platform will spearhead the second phase of TPEML’s product offensive, including future products like the Sierra EV.

Grounds-up new skateboard architecture from Tata

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

However, Tata Motors feels skateboard-based cars are still a few years away, and will only make sense when the Indian EV market is mature enough to afford and accept this next generation of EVs.

Still, the company is already exploring possibilities, which could include developing its own architecture or buying an existing skateboard developed by an independent supplier. The company is understood to have benchmarked its options against Hyundai’s E-GMP skateboard, which underpins the India-bound Ioniq 5, and considered to be the gold standard today.

A long wheelbase is a characteristic of most skateboards, as they are designed to accommodate as large a battery pack as possible between the front and rear axles. Hence, it is likely that the first product to come off a TPEML skateboard would be a large SUV. This will be a tantalising prospect and would nicely top Tata’s EV line-up.

With other automakers yet to get out of the blocks, Tata Motors is poised to grab an even bigger chunk of the electric car market, which is forecast to grow to two million cars by 2030.

Source : Autocar India

[condor]

It's good to see the thinking towards EV-specific architecture. But I hope that they are also planning in a similar way for Hydrogen /fuel cell vehicles. EV's have the inherent limitation of requiring time to recharge mid-trip. And also charging stations - which can be another limitation, just like we face shortages of parking. Hydrogen /fuel cell may be the way forward for vehicles that are going to be doing longer distances.

[VaibhavShatna95]

Is this the reason Altroz EV is not launching?
If Sigma platform is so closely related to Alpha, it would make sense to directly deploy Sigma platform.

[Reinhard]

Originally Posted by condor

Hydrogen /fuel cell may be the way forward for vehicles that are going to be doing longer distances.

A very valid point. However, in a country as ignorant about safety as india - I'd really have bone-chills if there are hydrogen filling stations and cars all around me in a city. I'd rather spend 1 hour charging the car and plan in advance, than carrying a potential explosive charge around. Of course - science & technology advance at warp speed, and India seems to be keeping up exceptionally well, and even pioneering things. So interesting things ahead.

[Nikhildrao]

Originally Posted by condor

It's good to see the thinking towards EV-specific architecture. But I hope that they are also planning in a similar way for Hydrogen /fuel cell vehicles. EV's have the inherent limitation of requiring time to recharge mid-trip. And also charging stations - which can be another limitation, just like we face shortages of parking. Hydrogen /fuel cell may be the way forward for vehicles that are going to be doing longer distances.

I respectfully disagree with the above sentences, while I accept that hydrogen has a place in the future for long distance transport, it is in no way compatible for cars but rather perfect for long distance trucking, shipping and planes. Porshe has proved that high voltage architecture allows for fast charging and xpeng has made a car with a 1000kms range, hence given a decade more time BEV will become the best alternative. Toyota has already bitten the bullet and has announced multiple BEVs in the future after boldly claiming hydrogen cars are the future.