Electric vehicle startup REE Automotive proudly announced Thursday that it secured the US certification for the first vehicle that supports steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire, and drive-by-wire technology.
According to the press release, REE has also started customer deliveries of the innovative P7-C electric truck.
US certification and incentives
REE successfully obtained the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifications on January 11.
This achievement advances its P7-C chassis cab to become the first full x-by-wire electric vehicle to receive such certification.
In addition, the P7-C qualifies for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commercial Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (Internal Revenue Code 45W) in the US. Notably, it offers eligible buyers a maximum tax credit of $40,000 per vehicle.
REE is currently working to secure access to other state incentives, potentially boosting the overall incentive to more than $100,000 per vehicle.
“I believe our REEcorner is a true gamechanger, allowing us to build electric trucks that fleets will want to buy, and drivers will love to drive as we continue to see a strong demand for our work trucks. I am incredibly proud of the team at REE for completing certification of the automotive industry’s first ever fully x-by-wire vehicle. Our customers have been eagerly waiting for our vehicles to be ready to deliver and now our first demo trucks are on their way to dealerships for customer evaluations.”
Daniel Barel, REE Automotive CEO and Co-Founder
What is x-by-wire technology?
The x-by-wire is basically the concept of replacing mechanical systems with electrical or electromechanical systems for various vehicle functions.
It becomes possible with the use of electromechanical actuators and human-machine interfaces, including pedal and steering feel emulators. It essentially eliminates traditional mechanical components like steering columns, intermediate shafts, pumps, hoses, belts, coolers and vacuum servos, and master cylinders, according to My Motor Wheels.
In effect, it decreases the total weight of the vehicle. It also enables more freedom in designing the vehicle as the electromechanical components take less space than their mechanical counterparts.
For instance, the REEcorner integrates steering braking, suspension, powertrain, and control–the critical components in any vehicle- into a”single compact by-wire controlled module strategically located between the chassis and the wheel. A central ECU keeps all four corners working together in harmony.”
Advantages
REE claims that its proprietary REEcorner™ and x-by-wire technology can offer the following benefits:
- “Superior maneuverability and volumetric efficiency
- Enhanced safety with fail operational design via redundancies in hardware and software
- Improved ergonomics with low step-in height and driver-centric cabin
- Improved serviceability
- More efficient maintenance and lower spare part inventory management
- Improved residual value
- Future-proofed, autonomous-ready and OTA upgrade capable
- Modular design and quick time to market
- Optimal energy efficiency”
Meanwhile, presented below are the key specifications of the P7-C class 4 chassis cab:
| Items | Specs |
| GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT | 16,000 LBS |
| MAX PAYLOAD | 7,054 LBS |
| PEAK POWER | 536 HP |
| MAX. BODY LENGTH | 16 FT. |
| RANGE (TARGET) | 150 MILES |
| X-BY-WIRE | AWDAWSAWB |
After completing deliveries for its first customer, Pritchard EV, REE plans to continue deploying the P7-C to more authorized dealers and leading fleet customers in the subsequent weeks.
