Southfield Classics Develops EV Chassis Using Ampere EV Atom Drive System
Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act paves way for Southfield Classics’ rolling platform…
Ampere EV announced that Southfield Classics has achieved CARB, EPA and DOT certification of its electric vehicle chassis for use in low-volume vehicle manufacturing. Southfield Classics is using Ampere EV’s Atom Drive system for propulsion, safety, range, and modern vehicle feature integrations like navigation, Android/CarPlay, CCS fast charging, cabin heat and AC and more. The chassis will be on display at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas Nevada from November 5–8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the Central Hall.
Southfield Classics worked closely with SEMA Garage to ensure strict adherence to government regulations on low-volume vehicle manufacturing guidelines, including regulations of propulsion system requirements mandated by the NHTSA, EPA, and CARB. The integration of Ampere EV’s Atom Drive EV Powertrain on Southfield Classics’ Low Volume Replica Chassis meets all the requirements, allowing Southfield and companies using the Southfield Replica Chassis to manufacture classic vehicles that are certified as new. This chassis will underpin the company’s SC31T Chevy 3100 restomod pickups, in addition to other chassis that the company expects to achieve certification on in the future.
“Southfield Classics’ certified Low Volume Vehicle Manufacturer chassis is one of the first of its kind and represents a monumental shift for the many high-quality builders who restore classics and hot rods,” stated Ampere EV CEO Matt White. “Federal Certification of this chassis and powertrain means that low-volume builders can leverage the same opportunities as major OEMs, making these vehicles more readily available to passionate enthusiasts. We are honored to be the EV powertrain solution for Southfield Classics.”
“We did our research on the EPA regulations and went through the replica car law extensively,” explained Southfield Classics general manager Dan Paul. “In order to be a manufacturer under this law, everything must be warrantied, so we use all new components. This chassis has the Ampere 42 kWh battery system and Cascadia iM-225 on an in-house-designed frame with premium new parts.”
Paul will be hosting a seminar at SEMA at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5, in the FutureTech Booth, highlighting the certification process and the critical assistance Southfield received from SEMA Garage.
Until 2015, the United States had just one system for regulating automobiles, which was designed for companies that mass-produce millions of vehicles. The Low Volume Vehicle Manufacturers Act program recognizes the unique challenges faced by companies that produce a small number of custom cars. According to SEMA Action Network (SAN), the replica car law and implementing regulations allow a low-volume manufacturer to construct up to 325 such replica cars a year subject to federal regulatory oversight. Low-volume vehicle manufacturers must first register with NHTSA, EPA, and CARB before selling vehicles.
