Mahindra & Mahindra, an Indian automobile manufacturer and a part of Mahindra Group, announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel-based REE Automotive to collaborate for the development and production of commercial electric vehicles (EVs) for the global market.

Mahindra said that the collaboration would help REE Automotive satisfy the need of its consumers for 200,000 to 250,000 EVs over the next few years. It added that both companies would expand the production of commercial EVs for additional supply to the global and Indian markets.

“The competitive advantages of REE’s corner module architecture with our experience in conventional vehicle system design, engineering, sourcing ecosystem, and significant production capacity, provides a perfect match to deliver exciting zero-emission vehicles, including autonomous vehicles, that can meet customer needs as never before. REE’s architecture will enhance our capabilities in the EV sector,” said Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director (Auto and Farm Sectors) of Mahindra & Mahindra.

According to the press release, REE’s platform technology of blending powertrain, suspension, and steering components will be used in the arch of vehicle wheels. This innovative platform technology will provide design flexibility as well as an advantage regarding weight and space for various kinds of commercial EVs. REE will leverage Mahindra’s global presence and its unique volume flexibility capability as well as its engineering and product development expertise.

The decarbonization of the transport sector can be a significant step towards achieving the set objectives of the Paris Agreement.

In April 2018, Mahindra Group and Ford Motor announced that they are teaming up to develop sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and small EVs as part of several previously announced joint initiatives.

Mercom earlier reported that Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra had signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Maharashtra government to roll out 1,000 EVs in the state. These EVs will be available in both the passenger and commercial markets. Previously, Mahindra & Mahindra also signed two MoUs with the Maharashtra government. The first deals with its expansion of the Chakan plant to manufacture EVs, e-motors, controllers, and battery packs for a cost of ₹5 billion (~$0.047 billion). Under the second MoU, it was to launch a total of 1,000 electric cars over the next one year in all the important cities of Maharashtra, with the help of fleet partners, taxi aggregators, and logistics companies.

Image credit: Mahindra & REE