Modular wheel-arch technology specialist aims for OE EV REE-volution

With the latest SMMT data naming the Tesla Model 3 as the most popular new-car in December as well as the second most popular in 2021 – no-one can deny that the era of electric vehicles is well and truly upon. However, while internal combustion engines (ICE) have generally separated engine, wheel and tyre, electric vehicles are bringing these vital mobility components closer together than ever.

Enter businesses such as REE Automotive (REE) a technology business on a mission to “empower companies to build any size or shape of electric or autonomous vehicle – from Class 1 through Class 6 – for any application and any target market”. To do this, the company has adopted a modular approach focuses on putting all the propulsion parts in the wheel-arch, via technology that the company calls REEcorner. That system packs steering, braking, suspension, powertrain and control into a single compact module positioned between the chassis and the wheel. According to REE, this means the company is able to build “the industry’s flattest EV platforms with more room for passengers, cargo and batteries.” REE uses x-by-wire technology to control each of the corners of the vehicles with full drive-by-wire, brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire.

Headquartered in Herzliya, Israel, 10-year-old REE runs an engineering centre in the UK, as well as subsidiaries worldwide including Japan and Germany, and plans to open its US headquarters and first “Integration Center” in Austin, Texas.

The company is obviously doing something right because Frost & Sullivan recognized REE as the 2021 Global EV Platform Company of the Year. And what’s more REE’s OEM partners include Hino Motors (the truck arm of Toyota), Magna International, JB Poindexter, Navya and American Axle & Manufacturing.

Tyres and wheel partnerships

OEM partners tell us much about the company’s long-term ambitions, but with REE bring mass-production as close to wheel as it has been for a long time, who is the company working with when it comes to tyres and wheels?

The latest new car registration data is clear. The era of electric vehicles is upon us (Source: SMMT)

At the end of November 2020, REE and Iochpe-Maxion announced a partnership to co-develop and manufacture an exclusive wheel design and chassis solution for REE’s corner modules and electric vehicle platform.

By incorporating Maxion’s wheel and chassis design and advanced materials experience into the system integration process, REE’s electric vehicle platform will weigh less and have more free space for alternative propulsion sources, according to the two parties.

“Partnering with Maxion was the clear choice for us given its advanced technical capabilities and global presence,” said Tali Miller Levin, Vice President, Corporate Development, REE. “We are delighted to add Maxion to our exclusive production network of top Tier 1 partners, which fortifies the market leadership of REE by leveraging Maxion’s existing wheel and chassis capabilities for our REEboard production demands.”

“Collaborating with REE showcases Maxion’s mission to connect our current business with OEMs and advanced mobility players such as REE. Our work with REE to innovate a new type of wheel and chassis creates the opportunity to further diversify both our product portfolio and customer base. Since the inauguration last year [2019] of Maxion Advanced Technologies, an innovation initiative searching for adjacent and disruptive automotive-related new business opportunities, our team has been actively seeking innovative endeavours where we can apply our wheel and chassis expertise to new mobility EV applications,” Dr. Saul Reichman, Head of Maxion Advanced Technologies and Global Director, Innovation & Corporate Venturing, Maxion Wheels said at the time.

Things are less clear when it comes to tyres. Despite Tyres & Accessories questions on the subject, company representatives didn’t highlight a specific tyre partner. However, the latest promotional photography from REE’s exhibit at the CES technology event in the USA in January 2022 clear shows REE Corners/REE boards fitted with Imperial branded tyres.

In case you were wondering, Imperial Tyres are a private brand belonging to large Belgian wholesaler Deldo Autobanden N.V., one of the largest businesses of its kind in Europe. Established in 2011 and created by the owners of Deldo, Imperial branded tyres are said to be produced in factories located in Europe and Asia, according to the company.