Mercedes - Repair and Service Redwood City - Mercedes stops work on MB.EA EV platform for large cars - Bosch European (650) 368-3000

 

 

Mercedes-Benz has stopped development of a next-generation platform for mid- and full-size electric vehicles as the automaker seeks to reduce spending in the EV segment amid a slowdown in sales.

The news was first reported on Monday by Germany's Handelsblatt and since confirmed by Mercedes to fellow German outlet Automobilwoche.

"The pace of transformation will be determined by market conditions and the wishes of our customers," the automaker said in a statement to Automobilwoche.

The MB.EA platform was first announced in 2021, when Mercedes pledged to exclusively offer EVs by 2030. However, Mercedes in February said it has bailed on the plan due to slower than expected EV sales, and that it will continue to offer vehicles with gas engines well into the next decade.

Two versions of the MB.EA platform were planned: MB.EA Small and MB.EA Large. The MB.EA Small platform is still being developed and will debut next year in an electric C-Class. An electric GLC-Class on the platform is also in the works.

The MB.EA Large platform was destined for successors to the EQE and EQS, and their respective SUV versions. According to the Handelsblatt report, Mercedes will instead update the EVA2 platform used by the current models, for their successors. The EQS successor is reportedly due around 2028 with a more traditional sedan shape instead of the current model's jelly bean design.

In addition to the MB.EA Small platform, Mercedes also plans the MMA platform for compact EVs and hybrids, the AMG.EA platform for high-performance EVs from AMG, and the Van.EA platform for electric light commercial vehicles. At present there are no plans to halt development of any of those platforms.

 

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1143184_mercedes-stops-work-on-mb-ea-ev-platform-for-large-cars

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com

 

 

Range Rover - Repair and Service Redwood City - Land Rover Defender electric restomod uses in-wheel motors - Bosch European Redwood City - (650) 368-3000

 

 

 

 

Another company has surfaced with an electric conversion for the original Defender, but there's a difference this time.

U.K.-based Bedeo's electric Defender uses in-wheel motors, which Bedeo has packaged as a retrofit kit that could potentially be used on any classic car.

Bedeo specializes in adding electric powertrains to light commercial vehicles, but the company plans to expand into classic cars through a new Reborn Electric: Icons program. The Defender is just the first conversion.

The in-wheel motors come from fellow British company Protean, which was acquired in 2019 by Swedish EV startup NEVS and sold to Bedeo in 2021 after NEVS ran into cash troubles. Chinese automaker Dongfeng has previously used Protean motors for its Fengshen E70 sedan. Former EV startup Lordstown also used in-wheel motors in its Endurance pickup truck, though these were sourced from a company called Elaphe.

Protean in-wheel electric motor

In Bedeo's electric Defender, four in-wheel motors are used for a combined output of 483 hp, which is considerably higher than what most early Defenders could muster. Bedeo also installs its own 75-kwh battery pack, resulting in a range estimate of 153 miles on the WLTP cycle used overseas. A lower range figure would result using the stricter EPA cycle.

Bedeo claims it's committed to matching the original curb weight and driving dynamics with each of these builds, achieved in part through weight savings brought about by the use in-wheel motors. In addition to ditching the internal-combustion engine and its associated hardware, the use of in-wheel motors also eliminates the need for things like a transmission and driveshafts.

There are downsides to the technology, though. In-wheel motors face direct exposure to road debris, saltwater, and various fluids, along with vibrations and shocks, all of which can reduce their lifespan.

Bedeo hasn't listed a price for its electric Defender.

 source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1142974_land-rover-defender-electric-restomod-uses-in-wheel-motors

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com