A European consortium of commercial and research groups is developing lighter, solar-powered, cost-conscious three- and four-wheel prototype vehicles for passengers and freight. The $13.4 million project envisions a platform with standardized components including the battery, powertrain and PV parts, as well as end-of-life support, maintenance and refurbishment.
The Green Intelligent Affordable Nano Transport Solutions (GIANTS) is a 12 million euro, 42-month project with 23 partners from industry and research institutes. The group is designing a platform to enable three types of lighter, cost-conscious prototypes of solar-powered electric vehicles for passengers and freight.
The platform includes battery technology, powertrains and solar PV components that will be standardized.
Small fleets of the GIANTS LEV prototypes will be demonstrated in the European cities of Stockholm and Bruges, plus demonstration sites in Kisumu, Kenya, Delhi, India and Manila, Philippines.
In the study, the three types of light electric vehicles (LEV) designed for passengers or freight: a three-wheeled vehicle with a top speed of 50 km/h, the L5 type, and two four-wheeled types, the L6 with a maximum of two seats, top speed by 28 km/h350 kg and a rated power of 6 kW, plus the L7 type, weighing up to 550 kg, with a rated power of 15 kW.
The plan is to apply digital dual technology to support predictive maintenance, renovation services and end-of-life recycling.
Horizon Europe’s framework-funded effort includes partners from established automotive companies, such as France’s Renault and Japan-based Toyota Motor Europe, as well as startups developing light electric vehicles (LEV), such as Squad Mobility, with passenger models, and Tux Mobility. , with a freight model. Both startups are based in the Netherlands.
In announcing its participation in the project, Squad Mobility said it would further develop and demonstrate the L6 and L7 designs as part of the GIANTS platform, and would receive support for components such as batteries, powertrain, electronics, software and solar energy. , as well as R&D support from universities and research institutions in the consortium
The other LEV startups are Sweden-based Clean Motion, with a cargo model, and Philippines-based four-wheeler specialist Tojo Motors.
The initiative started in January. Some of the other industry partners include French automotive parts supplier Valeo Embrayages, Dutch battery technology developer Cleantron and specialist PV module manufacturer Solbian, based in Italy.
The project’s resulting LEV platform will be analyzed for usability, manufacturability, user acceptability, environmental benefits and business viability.
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