EV Chassis:
Platform Guide

An EV chassis is the biggest shift in automotive design since we stopped using horses. Here's what you need to know.

What Is an EV Chassis?

A complete rolling foundation with everything electric built in: battery, motor, cooling, controls, safety systems. Unlike traditional chassis that need an engine added, an EV chassis arrives functional and ready to drive.

What's Included

• 42-54 kWh battery pack in the floor
• Electric motor and single-speed transmission
• Power electronics and charging systems
• Thermal management for battery and motor
• Suspension, brakes, steering
• Safety systems and crash protection
• Vehicle computer and software
• Cockpit with display and HVAC

Why Skateboard Design Works

"Skateboard" describes the shape—flat battery deck with wheels at corners. This puts the heaviest component (battery) as low as possible.

Key Benefits

Low center of gravity: Battery inches off the ground means less body roll, better handling.

Perfect weight distribution: Batteries spread across entire floor for 50/50 balance front to rear.

Flat interior floor: No engine, no transmission tunnel, no driveshaft. Maximum interior space.

Battery System

The battery pack is structural—it's part of the chassis, not cargo. The enclosure carries loads and adds rigidity. This saves weight by eliminating redundant structure.

Inside the Pack

Thousands of lithium-ion cells grouped into modules. Battery Management System monitors every module for voltage, temp, and health. Liquid cooling keeps everything in the optimal 20-40°C range.

Motor Configuration

Olympus uses a single rear motor. 174 HP continuous. Permanent magnet motor for high efficiency. Single-speed reduction gear—no multi-speed transmission needed.

Why single-speed? Electric motors deliver full torque from zero RPM and maintain power to 15,000+ RPM. No shifting required.

Digital Controls

Drive-by-wire eliminates mechanical linkages. Steering and braking are electronic. This enables:

• Adjustable steering feel via software
• One-pedal driving with regen braking
• Traction control and torque vectoring
• Remote operation capability

Commercial Applications

Fleet Vehicles

Delivery companies mount different cargo bodies on the same electric platform. One powertrain across the fleet simplifies maintenance.

Custom Manufacturers

Small manufacturers building specialty vehicles use the chassis to avoid developing powertrains. Focus on body design and features.

Autonomous Development

Drive-by-wire and digital controls make the platform ideal for autonomous systems. Connect via CAN bus and control everything electronically.

Olympus Specs

• Platform: Skateboard with structural battery
• Battery: 42-54 kWh lithium-ion
• Motor: 130 kW (174 HP continuous)
• Range: 155-255 miles
• Charging: DC fast + Level 2 AC
• Wheelbase: 183-196" adjustable
• Payload: 3,550 lbs
• Top speed: 121 mph

Cost and Development

Building a new EV from scratch: $500M-$2B and 4-5 years. Using a pre-engineered EV chassis: 60-80% cost reduction and 12-18 months to market.

Why It's Faster

The chassis is pre-certified for safety. You only need to validate your body design. This eliminates years of powertrain development and testing.

The Big Picture

EV chassis platforms bring back specialization. Chassis manufacturers perfect electric propulsion. Body designers create vehicles for specific markets. Everyone focuses on what they do best.

The Olympus EV Chassis is available now. Certified, tested, ready for your vehicle design.