Overview
The AVTR project is part of the European Green Cars Initiative (EGCI) a Public-Private Partnership launched in the context of the economic crisis 2008, for research and development on zero emission, safe and efficient road vehicles and transportation aiming at economic recovery and the fight against climate change. A total of 1 billion Euro was announced to be made available jointly by the European Union and the industry for collaborative research projects mainly in the field of electrification but also for developing novel solutions in long distance freight and logistics.
AVTR addresses the development of a complete Electrical powertrain optimized as a whole of systems, targeting the largest market context (vehicles weighing less than 1000kg) and featuring the following objectives:
- Energy saving in pure urban drive up to 20% with respect to state of-the-art fixed transmission ratio and avoiding the use of Rare-Earth Permanent Magnet Motors
- Fun-to-drive experience by adaptable transmission ratio allowing highest acceleration in all conditions
- Overall cost reduction per a defined range through a reduced battery capacity
- Reduced cost of ownership and maintenance by a significant reduction of electro-mechanical stresses due to power/energy transients.
The ambitious objectives are obtained by integrating in a single air cooled compact module: high- power electronic and related intelligence performing variable DC-DC converters and motor drive, asynchronous motor, Variable transmission block and differential.
Early demonstration of the technology will be made by preparing specific AVTRs to be installed on a FEV of new concepts for urban mobility and easily adaptable to the majority of electrical vehicles that will be sold before 2020.