Jaguar Land Rover Ltd on Tuesday unveiled the first concept electric vehicle (EV) for its erstwhile secret "Project Vector." This experimental EV is the first in a series of connected, integrated mobility systems comprising the fundamental building blocks for a far grander program called Destination Zero.
CEO Prof Sir Ralf Speth described Project Vector as an advanced, flexible, multi-use electric a vehicle that's "autonomy-ready," designed for the city, and packaging all its battery and drivetrain components into a flat floor following the "skateboard concept" to allow a variety of uses. He said the revolutionary interior cabin space allows seating configurations for private, or shared use and even the opportunity for commercial applications, such as last-mile deliveries.
Speth said Vector is Jaguar Land Rover's latest and boldest move yet towards Destination Zero, which is the company's goal to achieve a future of zero emissions, zero accidents, and zero congestion.
"Jaguar Land Rover understands the trends shaping modern societies," said, Speth. "Through this project, we are collaborating with the brightest minds in academia, our supply chain, and digital services to create connected, integrated mobility systems, the fundamental building blocks for Destination Zero. Vector is precisely the brave and innovative leap forward needed to deliver on our mission."
Project Vector was launched at the National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC), which is located at the University of Warwick in Coventry. NAIC is a joint venture between the University's Warwick Manufacturing Group, Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors (owner of Jaguar Land Rover).
Speth revealed Project Vector was secretly developed at NAIC for several years. The vehicle Speth unveiled is four meters long and is designed for life in the city. The skateboard concept it followed means the electric battery pack and drivetrain components are all packed into a flat floor. This space-saving configuration allows maximum design flexibility for the body above.
The experimental EV's cabin space allows seating configurations for private or shared use, or for commercial use, such as last-mile deliveries.
Speth said Project Vector is being developed at NAIC to give it the advantages of a start-up project. Locating at NAIC also gave the project a particular agility and fostered easy collaboration with academic and outside partners. Project director is Dr. Tim Leverton, an eminent engineer and researcher who was previously a chief engineer at Tata Motors.
The project is being financed by Jaguar Land Rover but has been structured like a start-up company. There are plans to seek outside investment.
"The megatrends of urbanization make connected urban mobility systems necessary and inevitable," said Dr. Leverton.
"Shared and private vehicles will share spaces with and be connected to public transit networks, so you can travel on-demand and autonomously. Future urban travel will be a composite of owned and shared vehicles, as well as public transport. Our vision shows the vehicle as a flexible part of the urban mobility network that can be adapted for different purposes."
Speth said Project Vector will address the wider landscape of mobility. This landscape includes how customers connect with mobility services and the infrastructure required to enable fully integrated, autonomous vehicles in UK cities. He said Jaguar Land Rover's intention is to collaborate with Coventry City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority to plan a mobility service from late 2021 as a living laboratory for future mobility on the streets of Coventry.
