SAIC unveils China's first platform dedicated to EVs

China's largest carmaker SAIC Group has unveiled an electric car platform, the first of its kind among local carmakers in the world's largest vehicle market.

The platform, called Xingyun, or Nebula, can be upgraded and stay compatible with future technologies.

Using the platform, EVs will have a wheelbase from 2,690 millimeters to 3,100 mm in which batteries measuring 2,023 mm in length can be installed.

The batteries can deliver a power range of 150-600 kilowatts and an energy matrix of 44-150 kilowatt-hours.

The EVs are expected to achieve a range of 1,000 kilometers, according to Kang Huaping, vice-president of the SAIC innovation research and development institute.

EVs based on the SAIC Nebula platform are scheduled to be in production by 2023, Kang said.

The platform is able to provide the foundations of various types of vehicles, including medium-sized hatchback, large and medium-sized sedan, luxury sedan, sports car, sports utility vehicle or multipurpose vehicle.

Models using the platform can host frontier technologies such as high-pressure casting, solid-state battery, electrical architecture and autonomous driving.

Equipped with an active safety system and a data security protection system, Nebula aims to provide customers with a safe and quiet environment.

The platform will help realize SAIC Group's goal of achieving peak carbon emissions by 2025, Kang added.

SAIC's Nebula demonstrates China's development in the auto industry's intelligent manufacturing and offers technical support for other Chinese auto brands, the carmaker said.

Earlier this month, SAIC unveiled the Mulan under its MG brand, built on the Nebula platform and sports the carmaker's One Pack battery in which energy density reaches 180 kWh per kilogram.