MAPNA, Bam Khodro Form JV to Manufacture Electric Vehicles

Iran has joined the global electric vehicle race, as the domestic engineering and energy giant, MAPNA Group, and Bam Khodro, a subsidiary of Kerman Motor Company, are gearing up to jointly produce EVs.

During a Sunday event on May 16, 2021, MAPNA Electric and Control Engineering and Manufacturing Company (MECO) and Bam Khodro set up a joint venture for the design and production of A- and B-class EVs and the development of relevant technologies, MAPNA’s Public Relations Office reported.

In the first phase, the deal calls for the production of public electric vehicles. As a result, MECO will be responsible for the cars' engines, batteries and electronic systems.

The bus cabins, trimmings and mechanical parts will be made by Bam Khodro.

The associated firms will shortly release a prototype with a 15 kWh battery that will enable the bus to travel 100 kilometers at an average speed of 80 kilometers per hour.

The vehicles are managed by automated EV controller software, which allows the drivers to open doors and navigate.

Passenger fare payment and reservation are also made feasible by the controller.

MAPNA has developed electric subsystems for passenger and public vehicles, and successfully tested 20 electric vehicle prototypes, demonstrating that the company is ready to join EV manufacturers after years of research and efforts.

Bam Khodro, as the engineering group says, can be a good partner because it is already using cutting-edge technologies in auto production.

According to MAPNA experts, the large number of urban travels via the public transportation system, particularly in metropolises like Tehran, calls for diverse transport vehicles for offering decent services.

That was the driving force pushing the engineering group to form a joint venture with Bam Khodro.

Source: https://financialtribune.com/articles/auto/108683/mapna-bam-khodro-form…