OSVehicle releases next-gen open-source hardware platform for EVs
Italy-based open source EV platform provider OSVehicle has released the second generation of its TABBY EVO hardware platform that enables the development of electric vehicles and corresponding parts. The $12,000 platform offers vehicle and parts design, prototyping and building, and can be equipped with a $5,500 12.8 kWh battery. The company claims that an equivalent to its platform could costs $2m. The platform is compliant with EU, Asia and US road legal regulations, though final approval would still be required after modification.

The automotive industry has always been capital-intensive and therefore, it has often been difficult for startups to carve themselves a space in it. But the electric vehicle revolution is disrupting the industry enough that it is opening up opportunities for startups to accelerate the pace of innovation.

OSVehicle, a company based in Italia, is trying to help them to just that with their new platform.

They released the second generation of the TABBY EVO, an open-source hardware platform to develop electric vehicles and electric vehicle parts. The platform enables companies or individuals wishing to develop parts for electric vehicles, or even full EVs, to leapfrog some of the development and test the parts in an open platform.

Of course, you could always buy a used car, electric or not, and implement the parts on that, but it’s arguably easier with OSVehicle’s platform due to its open nature.

The company describes its mission:

OSVehicle’s mission is to democratize mobility by enabling businesses and startups to design, prototype, and build custom electric vehicles and transportation services.

Here’s the 2-seat version of the platform:

The platform can come with or without a battery pack, which is $5,500 for only 12.8 kWh even though the company is emphasizing that it is affordable.

I wouldn’t be so sure about that. It’s not exactly cheap for what it is, but it’s certainly can be useful to some startups for the time it could save.

They claim it can cost up to $2 million to develop an equivalent platform. Here’s the company’s price sheet :

The company says that the platform components and structural design are compliant to road legal certification in the EU, US, and ASIA, which in itself is interesting, but the final approval would depend on the overall vehicle after the modifications by the customer.

What do you think of the concept? Can it be useful to the rEVolution? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.