EV platform developer REE Automotive has received Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification for its P7-C electric chassis cab, which is the first to feature steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire and drive-by-wire technology, or collectively “x-by-wire.”
X-by-wire entails the replacement of typical mechanical or hydraulic systems, such as braking or steering, with electronic ones. Some benefits of the x-by-wire technology include better maneuverability, serviceability, and enhanced safety. It also offers a certain degree of future-proofing, as the electronic systems are autonomous-ready and OTA upgrade capable.
A demonstration version of the medum-duty electric truck was delivered to Iowa-based dealer Pritchard EV, which will show the vehicle off to large fleet customers at a roadshow. Additional REE authorized dealers and leading fleets are expected to receive additional P7-C demonstration units in the coming weeks.
The X-by-wire technology is part of the Israeli-based company’s larger REEcorner design, which the company said “integrates all critical vehicle components (steering, braking, suspension, powertrain, and control) into a single compact module between the chassis and the wheel.”