Overview
Tekes is the main public funding organisation for research and development (R&D) in Finland. Tekes funds industrial projects as well as projects in research organisations, and especially promotes innovative, risk-intensive projects. Tekes offers partners from abroad a gateway to the key technology players in Finland.
As electric vehicles become more commonplace, a wholly new service business sector will emerge. Tekes' Electric Vehicle Systems Programme (EVE) is creating a new international community. It is aimed at companies and research institutes that work with electric vehicles and machinery and the components and systems used in them.
The long-term goal is to increase the amount of business related to electric vehicles and machinery from the 2009 figure of € 200 million to €2 billion by 2020. The programme also focuses on developing test environments and standards for the industry.
The EVE programme consists of five different consortia:
- WintEVE – Arctic testing facilities
The WintEVE Consortium concentrates specifically on the development and testing of electric vehicle systems and services designed for winter conditions.
- EUL – Eco Urban Living
The Eco Urban Living initiative aims to research, test and demonstrate the features and functionality of fully electric vehicles as well as the economic feasibility of related components, including various charging solutions.
- Electric Traffic Helsinki Test Bed
This Consortium is developing urban structure, infrastructure and services more favourable and compatible with electric vehicles.
- EVELINA
The EVELINA Consortium is developing a country-wide testing environment to collect information about the functionality of the vehicles and the user experience in varying conditions.
- ECV – Electric Commercial Vehicles
The ECV consortium creates a world-class R&D network as well as a platform for the development of a wide range of electric commercial vehicles, their power trains and key-components.