Stellantis spent $29.5M to boost wind tunnel for EVs

Stellantis has upgraded the wind tunnel positioned close to its U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, in its quest to spice up vary of electrical automobiles by lowering drag.

The automaker on Wednesday mentioned it invested $29.5 million within the website so as to add shifting floor aircraft expertise, primarily a rolling floor.

Every wheel will get its personal belt that operates identical to a treadmill, whereas a fifth belt runs longitudinally beneath the automobile, which mimics on-road journey circumstances.

The setup permits the wheels of the check automobile to rotate at practical speeds somewhat than stay static, which allows engineers to assemble extra correct measurements of airflow resistance from the wheels and tires. The wind tunnel, which has been in operation since 2002, is able to producing wind speeds of greater than 160 mph.

Stellantis wind tunnel in Auburn Hills, Michigan

Stellantis mentioned airflow resistance from wheels and tires alone can have an effect on real-world aerodynamic drag by as much as 10%. Decreasing this will enhance vary and because of this might result in smaller batteries, which in flip might result in value and weight financial savings, the automaker added.

Stellantis already makes use of shifting floor aircraft expertise at different websites, although these websites are centered on smaller automobile platforms. Engineers on the Auburn Hills website will give attention to bigger automobiles, notably these primarily based on the STLA Massive and STLA Body platforms.

The funding comes as Stellantis seems to be to curb prices in different areas. Along with lowering workers, Stellantis can also be within the means of winding up a check facilty in Yucca, Arizona. CEO Carlos Tavares, who will retire in early 2026 on the finish of his present contract, additionally warned in July that a few of Stellantis’ 14 manufacturers could possibly be dropped in the event that they proceed to underperform. His warning got here after the corporate reported earlier within the month a decline of 48% in internet income year-over-year, largely because of declining gross sales within the U.S.