Tata Motors To Collaborate With Jaguar Land Rover To Share EMA Platform
As part of accelerating its transition to electric vehicle, Tata Motors has announced a strategic collaboration with its marquee brand Jaguar Land Rover to share the latter’s born-electric Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA). This EMA architecture will be used for its upcoming premium EV Avinya.
Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (Tata’s electric vehicle subsidiary) and Jaguar Land Rover have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the licensing of JLR’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform for a royalty fee (including electrical architecture, electric drive unit, battery pack and manufacturing know-hows) for the development of Tata’s upcoming born-electric vehicles.
Jaguar Land Rover's EMA Platform
JLR had first announced the born-electric EMA architecture back in 2021 that’s to spawn the next-generation Velar, Evoque and the Discovery Sport. Of these, the Velar will be the first to arrive and is due for its debut by late 2024.
Jaguar Land Rover’s EMA platform will be designed from the outset to accommodate advanced driver assistance systems and extensive cloud connectivity. JLR claims it will be capable of communicating with other cars and infrastructure, such as traffic control networks. The EMA platform is “engineered around the battery” with its flat floor allowing for maximum interior space. It will also be able to accommodate batteries of different chemistries.
In addition, the platform is claimed to allow for Software Over The Air (SOTA), Level 2+ autonomy and Feature Over The Air (FOTA) capabilities. The EMA platform will feature a highly integrated propulsion system with cell to pack battery technology, battery management and charging system. Further, the platform will also be eligible for 5-star safety rating and ultrafast charging technologies for high performance vehicles.
When the first batch of vehicles based on the EMA platform go into production from late 2024 onwards, it will initially be produced at JLR’s Halewood plant in the UK. Originally opened by Ford, the plant is already undergoing a conversion for production of battery electric vehicles. However, with the Avinya series of models that’s due from 2025, Tata Motors will be localising the EMA architecture here in India to keep costs competitive while still bearing a premium positioning.
This then is the second major joint project announced by Tata Motors and JLR. The Harrier and Safari SUVs are based on the Jaguar Land Rover Freelander D8 platform. However, the partnership on the EMA for a full vehicle development program is a major step up in level of collaboration between Tata Motors and JLR.
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