Volvo’s innovative one-piece castings will replace around 100 parts on the rear floor of the company’s upcoming electric cars.
Volvo has confirmed that its next-generation all-electric models will make use of a new mega-casting production technique made possible by an £810 million investment in its Torslanda production facility.
The first car to feature the new technology, which could be a production version of the Concept Recharge, will be produced in 2025.
Mega-casting involves moulding a section of a vehicle with as many components built into the panel as possible, reducing complexity when it comes to main assembly. It’s utilised by Tesla’s latest car, the Model Y SUV.
Volvo plans to use the technology to create a single mega-cast aluminium floor pan. The mega-cast floor pans for Volvo’s next-generation EVs will have the mounting points for items like suspension arms and electric motors already built in, which negates the need for a rear subframe. In total, Volvo says the technology will trim around 100 parts from each car.
The upside of this is that the finished car should weigh less, thereby improving the efficiency of the electric powertrain and, in theory, allowing it to travel further before needing to be recharged. There are also packaging benefits and minor cost savings to be had along the way.
Source: www.autoexpress.co.uk
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