Author: EUCAR August 3, 2017 Share this:

The competitiveness of European road vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers is based on technological leadership, particularly on system optimisation and affordability. The challenge taken up by EUCAR members (DAF, Daimler, FIAT/CRF, IVECO, MAN and Renault) in the ECOCHAMPS (European COmpetitiveness in Commercial Hybrid and AutoMotive PowertrainS) project, is to achieve efficient, compact, low weight, robust and cost-effective hybrid powertrains for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles (buses, medium duty and heavy-duty trucks) with increased functionality, improved performance, comfort, functional safety and emission levels below Euro 6 or VI.

EUCAR members will deliver five demonstrator hybrid vehicles in total, to prove and assess the success of the ECOCHAMPS innovations. The following demonstrators are being developed:

• Class B Demonstrator – Fiat 500X,
• Class C Demonstrator – Renault Megane,
• Medium Duty Commercial Demonstrator IVECO Daily – Hybrid Plug-in,
• City Bus Demonstrator – MAN,
• Heavy Tractor Demonstrator – DAF XF.

ECOCHAMPS main innovations and targeted key results are: To devise a modular pre-standard framework (MSF), for the first time, that recommends standards for electric hybrid drivetrain components and auxiliaries for commercial vehicles; to develop a set of electric hybrid components for hybrid powertrains; to develop optimised drivelines for the selected vehicle classes; to demonstrate the key innovations in two light duty and three commercial vehicles at TRL 7; and to assess the technology development in terms of its efficiency, cost effectiveness, weight and volume.

For more information and details on the demonstrators, please visit the project website.

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