GAC Motor Philippines is putting more weight behind its Aion V electric SUV as the company highlights the AEP 3.0 platform that sits beneath the model.

The AEP 3.0, or Aion Electric Platform 3.0, is GAC Group’s fully developed electric vehicle platform. 

It was made specifically for battery electric vehicles, instead of adapting a vehicle layout originally meant for a combustion engine. GAC said this allows the motor, battery, chassis and control systems to work more closely together.

According to GAC, the platform’s electric drive system can reach more than 90 percent energy conversion efficiency. 

It also uses an integrated battery layout that lowers the center of gravity by as much as 20 percent compared with traditional combustion vehicles. GAC said this helps improve stability and handling, especially in daily driving conditions.

Body rigidity also improves by up to 15 to 20 percent because the battery forms part of the vehicle structure. 

The platform also uses an intelligent energy management system that can improve efficiency by around 10 to 15 percent compared with non-dedicated EV platforms, according to GAC.

In the Aion V, the platform is paired with GAC’s Magazine Battery 2.0 technology. GAC describes the battery as waterproof and resistant to high temperatures. 

GAC also said it was designed to reduce the risk of thermal incidents, a key concern for buyers who are still weighing the switch to electric vehicles.

The Aion V offers more than 600 kilometers of driving range under the NEDC cycle. GAC said this gives the SUV enough range for several days of city driving or long trips with proper charging plans. 

The model can also charge from 30 percent to 80 percent in around 20 minutes, which can add more than 300 kilometers of range during a short stop.