The Technology Strategy Board has announced a series of research and demonstration activities under the Low Carbon Innovation Platform
- Ultra low carbon vehicle demonstration competition
- Electrification of road transport
- Open technology competition covering all vehicle technologies capable of delivering carbon reductions
- University-led research on lower carbon vehicle technology
In addition, the Department for transport has announced a £20m Low Carbon Vehicle procurement programme.
New Research Consortia and Projects
Foresight Vehicle is in the process of building consortia and preparing for potential funding from the Government and/or European sources with the emphasis on reducing carbon omissions from road vehicles. If you would like to be part of this initiative please click on the links below to register for the research teams.
DC/DC Systems
DC/DC converter systems are widely used across the fuel cell and electric vehicle industry. There are a number of problems associated with them such as efficiency losses, thermal issues, build quality suitability for automotive applications, cost etc. As the automotive industry has not traditionally used DC/DC converters to a great extent, systems are often developed specially or borrowed from fixed power or other installations. With the advent of large numbers of electric vehicles, DC/DC converters with a wide range of specific properties will be needed in the future. There is wide scope for the research and development of these kinds of devices in an electric automotive context.
Independant Comparison of Batteries for Propulsion
To support the R&D of electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell powered vehicles by the setting up of a centre of expertise to provide directly comparable technical performance data for a range of advanced battery and supercapacitor systems
Low Cost Electric Propulsion Machines
There is a need for the cost of electric machines for automotive use to be considerably reduced. The automotive industry is renowned for achieving the ultimate in low cost components e.g. In many cases the cost to the industry of a multi material component would appear to be less than the cost of the materials involved. It is proposed that the expertise of the automotive industry is used together with that from companies designing and manufacturing electric machines to achieve these low cost results.
Micro Hybrid Retrofit
Development of a low cost (£300-400maximum cost to end user) starter motor, battery and control system for retro fitment to existing vehicles in the range of 1-5years old to achieve stop-start fuel savings contributing to an overall Carbon Dioxide reduction of up to 10% in urban driving situations. Potential market of several million units using common systems solutions applicable to many OEM vehicles. Major opportunity for initial applications in light duty commercial vehicles e.g. Ford Transit size vans.
Vehicle Design for Quick Battery Changes and Plug in Range Extenders
Development of standardised power pack installations for mass market applications that can support different battery configurations, auxiliary power unit installations for series hybrids and flexible fuel tank installations for use with hydrogen or compressed gas (LPG, CNG) applications. The benefits of modular installations will be multi fuel potential of vehicles which could for example be pure electric in urban situations, but allowing installation of additional auxiliary power pack (Hybrid or compressed gas) for longer distance occasional motorway journeys which may be hired when needed. Modules will also supports battery swap concepts for extending range of pure electric vehicles.