- NEVS, inheritor of Saab’s legacy, developed a promising EV called Emily.
- Parent company Evergrande’s financial troubles led to NEVS’ hibernation.
- Emily featured a 589-mile range and advanced torque vectoring capabilities.
- Disbanding of Emily’s team makes its future production increasingly unlikely.
National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), the company formed after acquiring Saab’s assets, had been quietly developing an impressive electric vehicle (EV) called the Emily. However, financial difficulties faced by its parent company, the Chinese mega-corporation Evergrande, led to NEVS laying off 95% of its workforce and entering a hibernation mode, putting the Emily’s future in jeopardy.
NEVS had ambitious plans for the brand, which included an autonomous vehicle, an electric vehicle based on the old Saab 9-3, and the newly-revealed Emily. The company collaborated with Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg and acquired UK-based Protean Electric, a maker of in-wheel electric motors. The design of the Emily was managed by Simon Padien, Saab’s former design chief, and the person behind the second-generation 9-5.
The Emily, designed as a modern reinterpretation of the Saab 9-5, showcased attractive design elements reminiscent of the Aston Martin Rapide. It featured advanced torque vectoring thanks to its four in-hub electric motors and large enough batteries to provide a remarkable 589-mile range on the WLTP standard. Despite being built in just five months, the test car received glowing reviews during its first-ever test drive.
Unfortunately, the hibernation of NEVS resulted in the dissolution of the team behind Emily. This talented group of 350 engineers and technicians had hoped to sell the nearly production-ready vehicle to a company looking for an innovative EV to market under its own brand. The Emily project, representing the last vestiges of Saab’s legacy, now faces an uncertain future.
As Evergrande continues to struggle with its debt and NEVS explores the sale of its production facility in Trollhättan, Sweden, the chances of the Emily reaching the market appear slim. The story of NEVS and the Emily serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges faced by electric vehicle startups and highlights the precarious nature of Saab’s legacy in the automotive world.
