The collaborative efforts within the Tata Group facilitate the adoption of Jaguar Land Rover’s Electric Modular Architecture, which promotes localization and cost efficiency, accelerating the entry of high-end SUVs into the market.
Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM) and Jaguar Land Rover Plc (JLR), both wholly owned by Tata Motors Limited (TML), recently agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding for TPEM to license JLR’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform. This agreement includes a royalty fee for using JLR’s electrical architecture, electric drive unit, battery pack, and manufacturing expertise. The EMA platform will be utilized to create TPEM’s premium electric vehicle series named ‘Avinya’. Additionally, TPEM and JLR will establish an Engineering Services Agreement to assist with TPEM’s vehicle development adaptations.
JLR’s EMA platform is set to form the foundation for JLR’s new generation of mid-sized SUVs, which are expected to be purely electric and are slated for release starting in 2025.
P B Balaji, Group CFO of Tata Motors, has indicated that the EMA platform will be instrumental for their upcoming premium electric vehicle range inspired by the Avinya concept, which the company unveiled in 2022. Balaji emphasized that Avinya represents more than just a single vehicle; it’s a versatile platform that could lead to a series of electric vehicles. The Avinya concept is designed to offer a leading-edge in-cabin experience, connectivity, driver assistance systems, performance, refinement, and safety.
Utilizing JLR’s EMA platform will expedite TPEM’s foray into the upscale electric vehicle market, streamlining the development process and reducing associated costs. The advanced electrical and electronic (E&E) architecture from JLR is designed to support Level 2+ autonomous driving capabilities along with a suite of advanced features for comfort and connectivity. This collaboration will also hasten TPEM’s implementation of software updates over the air (SOTA), feature updates over the air (FOTA), safety standards (achieving a 5-star Euro NCAP Rating), and ultra-fast charging technology for high-performance vehicles. The EMA platform equips TPEM with a robust foundation to bring Avinya up to international standards regarding product efficiency and driving range.
Balaji further noted that this initiative is a step towards Tata Motors’ goal of transitioning to a skateboard electric vehicle architecture, or Generation 3 products, in the future. He highlighted that the JLR platform is an excellent fit for Avinya, which is intended to be a premium electric vehicle offering.
This strategy is expected to yield substantial benefits for Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, propelling it into the high-end electric vehicle segment more quickly, reducing development time, advancing the brand into sophisticated electrical and electronic architecture, and setting the stage for future autonomous vehicles. The EMA architecture will also be used for future electric versions of the Velar and Evoque models. The Avinya is anticipated to be a top-tier addition to this lineup.
This marks the second significant collaborative project between Tata Motors and JLR, following the development of the Harrier and Safari SUVs, which are based on the JLR Freelander platform.