CATL CIIC – A New Rendition of the Skateboard EV Chassis at COVESA’s CES Showcase Event

The modular skateboard concept has been around for a while, but a large-scale adoption is still a work in progress. Contemporary Amperex Intelligent Technology (CAIT), a subsidiary of CATL, which is a COVESA member, presented a new rendition of the idea at the COVESA Networking & Showcase event during CES 2025 in Las Vegas.  

A Quick History

GM pioneered the concept in 2002 by introducing the AUTOnomy skateboard to free design constraints imposed by the steering column or powertrain. GM’s original concept required the “top hat” to be secured with just eight bolts. In recent times, Ree, Canoo, and other startups have focused on commercializing the concept. Rivian used the skateboard concept in developing its R1T/R1S (pickup and SUV) platform. A common “strip chassis” to fit multiple body designs is also the business model for the new EV truck businesses such as Harbinger.

Source: “GM’s Futuristic Skateboard,” Tom Nash, MOTOR Magazine, April 2002.

Why COVESA?

The CIIC system is designed as a modern SDV architecture with scalable decoupled software and hardware and standardized interfaces – a key motivation of its showcase at the COVESA event. The decoupled architecture, with future adoption of standardized API and common data structure such as Vehicle Signal Specification (VSS) – the core value proposition of COVESA, is crucial for its wider adoption by a variety of manufacturers from taxi cabs to delivery vans, pickups, and MPVs.

CAIT CIIC Skateboard Chassis at COVESA event during CES 2025.

CAIT Skateboard Chassis

CAIT has refined the concept using Cell to Chassis (CTC) technology. This design, which it calls CIIC (Integrated Intelligent Chassis), augments the volumetric benefits of cell-to-pack (CTP) concept with more energy density by eliminating cell modules and separate packs. The chassis pioneers a 3D bionic Tortoise shell structure, inspired by the outer shell design of the tortoise, which is strong and durable, creating improved crush zones to efficiently absorb the energy of an impact.

Why is This Significant?

There are tremendous opportunities for a skateboard, such as the CIIC chassis, based on the SDV architecture that incorporates the latest battery technology, by-wire driving, and safety designs. It could revolutionize niche manufacturing and custom configuration of a variety of fleet vehicle body styles to cost-effectively participate in the electric and autonomous delivery economy.

For more information on CIIC Skateboard chassis, read a more detailed article here.