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TRIMIS

Building blocks concepts for efficient and safe multiuse urban electrical vehicles

Project

WIDE-MOB - Building blocks concepts for efficient and safe multiuse urban electrical vehicles


Funding origin:
European
European Union
STRIA Roadmaps:
Transport electrification (ELT)
Transport electrification
Smart mobility and services (SMO)
Smart mobility and services
Transport mode:
Road
Road
Transport sectors:
Passenger transport
Passenger transport
Project website:
Duration:
Start date: 01/12/2010,
End date: 01/05/2014

Status: Finished
Funding details:
Total cost:
€3 740 732
EU Contribution:
€2 610 000

Overview

Background & policy context:

Architectural requirements, and mechanical and thermal constraints imposed on an electrical power-train are much less stringent when compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) based vehicles. The needs for cost reduction and range enhancement demand light structures, advanced aerodynamic solutions and optimisation of the drive train.

Objectives:

The WIDE-MOB project addresses the design and development of electric vehicles basic building blocks. This includes:

  • Optimised aerodynamic bodies with embedded synthetic micro-jets that radically reduce the drag at any speeds;
  • Lightweight and low cost bodies designed for high safety under both frontal and lateral crash;
  • Overall system optimisation based on distributed propulsion including:
      i) fail safe distributed propulsion;
      ii) e-motor and torque control of the wheel;
      iii) integrated power-energy management and distributed battery super-capacitor packs (high efficiencies over a wide torque/speed range demanded by real-use driving cycles);
  • Application of EMC-EMR and low frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) design concepts based on 'prudent avoidance practices' for field mitigation on occupants. The high currents and voltages produced in electric drive trains pose new problems in terms of EMF which may become a health risk to occupants;
  • Modular and reconfigurable design addressing the WIDEst needs with ergonomic on board space;
  • Solar panels distributed on both horizontal and vertical surfaces with adaptive electronic for a higher range of operation and minimal needs of infrastructures.

Methodology:

The WIDE-MOB project will deliver:

  • A prototype and demo vehicle for urban mobility integrating the proposed innovative concepts;
  • Guidelines for the developed concepts to be widely applied to most electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEvs) architectures thus generating IPR and knowledge/experience upon which to build a world-leading EU position to track and exploit the global uptake of electrical mobility.

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