Aston Martin is looking at a possible partnership to further its EV development. The carmaker is considering using an EV platform from Mercedes, Lucid, or Rimac for its first electric car.
The upcoming battery-powered sports car is due in 2025 and will further Aston Martin’s electrification plans.
Aston Martin is making a £653 million investment that will settle its debt and help expand production capacity. However, a good portion of the money goes to the company’s EV push.
Before the purely electric car in 2025, Aston Martin will release its first plug-in hybrid in 2024. However, an electric GT/sport and SUV are coming in 2030.
Aston Martin chairman and Canadian Lawrence Stroll revealed that the first BEV could be a halo supercar or hypercar; a firm decision will be made later. However, the company has already committed to developing the EV in Britain. It has also partnered with Britishvolt to make a high-performance battery with an improved driving range and shorter charging time.
Of the three companies Aston Martin is considering for its EV platform, Mercedes looks the most likely. The German automaker owns a 9.7 percent stake in Aston Martin, and the percentage will increase with additional investment later this year.
Also, Aston Martin has used Mercedes’ engines and infotainment system in its existing cars. Mercedes itself is working on a new EV architecture for its performance division, meant to power an EV that will be released in 2025.
However, Aston Martin is connected to Lucid Motors through the Saudi Arabian Pubic Investment Fund (PIF), which will soon be an investor in both companies. PIF will become the largest shareholder in Aston Martin after buying a 16.7 percent share for £78 million and has invested more than £840 million in Lucid Motors.
However, Stroll took time to mention Rimac, a hypercar maker, as a potential EV-platform partner, touting the Croatian company’s record.
Source: Auto Car
