REE Leopard Is An Autonomous Shuttle Concept Designed For Delivery Fleets

REE, an automotive tech company from Israel, has unveiled their latest concept vehicle called the Leopard. The fully autonomous shuttle is based on the modular REEboard EV architecture and is designed as a last-mile delivery solution.

The Leopard looks like a tiny bus with a boxy shape, large glass surfaces, and futuristic graphics. It has a small footprint of 2.5 m2 (26.6 cubic feet), with a length of 3.4 m (133.9 inches) and a narrow width of 1.4 m (55.2 inches) for greater maneuverability in city roads. The floor-mounted battery has a capacity of 50 kWh, while an electric motor sending power to the rear wheels allows for a top speed of 97 km/h (60 mph).

What is more important for the vehicle’s role is the ability to carry up to 5,097 lt (180 cubic feet) of cargo thanks to the low and flat floor and the boxy shape. It also has a 2-tonne gross vehicle weight which sounds sufficient for last-mile deliveries. The vehicle is also designed with a low cost of ownership in mind, making it ideal for fleet use. A full-scale concept of the REE Leopard will be showcased in CES 2022.

The platform features X-by-wire REEcorner technology for drive, steer, and brake control. Its modularity allows it to accommodate vehicles measuring between 2.9 – 3.5 m (114 – 138 inches) in length, 1.2 – 1.8 m (46.8 – 70.8 inches) in width, and 1.4 – 2.2 m (55.2 – 86.4 inches) in height, with a cargo capacity of up to 7,500 lt (265 cubic feet).

The architecture supports battery capacities of up to 60 kWh, and electric motors producing up to 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS) for a top speed of up to 160 km/h (100 mph). REE states that their tech allows customers to build fleets of autonomous EVs for transporting passengers and cargo.

REE, which is headquartered in Herzliya, Israel, has an engineering center in the UK, and subsidiaries worldwide. Last July, it announced plans to open its U.S. headquarters in Austin, Texas, with production slated for 2023. A month later the company announced that its REEcorner technology would be receiving £12.5 million ($17 million) in funding from the UK government.