Specific Challenge:

With the successful introduction of electrified vehicles on the market, the upcoming challenge is to achieve affordability, user friendliness and optimization of the infrastructure. In parallel to the ongoing developments of vehicles powertrains, electronics and sub-systems innovations will enable new functionalities in EVs. On the infrastructure side, variable and higher charging power are coexisting and connected services are currently under development. New developments in the electronic architecture as well as in the system integration of innovative sub-systems in the vehicles are required to leverage the benefits of new functionalities for the user. The topic should contribute to face the challenge of the development of new components, systems and architectures required for the next generation of electrified vehicles that will allow to meet end-users expectations in terms of cost, convenience of long range travel and comfort, by finding for each application the best compromise between fast charge, battery size and battery life.

Scope:

Proposals will have to address one or more of the following technical areas:

• Integrated electric/electronic architectures (incl. high voltage) and control systems for third generation electrified vehicles powertrains.
• Development of smart bus systems, electric motors, power electronics enabling smaller form factors, when integrated in batteries and motors and modular approaches, connectivity and systems for enabling automated driving functions, have to be considered.
• Modular and flexible on-board charging optimized for infrastructure capabilities taking into account variable power with up to 350 kW
• Breakthrough heating and cooling concepts to minimize the impact on vehicle range in extreme conditions.

For each of technical areas reliability, safety and security to be considered – including for instance electromagnetic compatibility and sensorisation of components. Coverage of research on all quality aspects is required to keep quality high and costs due to failures low using components and sub-systems for the 3^rd generation. Research topics are like modelling of aging, lifetime, bonding, packaging, cooling, manufacturing in general, traceability and a database for failure mechanisms.

Expected Impact:

• Significant advancements of e-powertrain technology – reference to the “European Roadmap - Electrification of Road Transport” – e-motors, power electronics, charging system with high impact on overall powertrain efficiency
• Affordability of the developed components and subsystems should be improved by demonstrating a minimum of 20% cost reduction in mass production (in comparison to the best current generation components) and user friendliness in terms of reach and charging procedures.
• The integration of new components and functionalities on the vehicle (including innovation in battery packs in GV6) and infrastructure side in GV3 should allow the development of new concepts for affordable FEVs which enable long duration trips (e.g. 700-1000km day trips across different Member States) with not more than 60-90 minutes additional travel time and without additional degradation impact on the FEV power train including the battery
• Automotive quality enabled in the whole system with new functionalities.
• The impact on overall efficiency increase of the new functionalities should be demonstrated with a full size hardware implementation in an existing demo vehicle.