EU Projects

Urban EV

Urban EV aims to demonstrate new lighter and affordable architectures for the principal components of vehicles of its kind.

Urban EV is a collaborative project co-financed by the European Commision under the 7th Framework Programme. The project is associated to the SEAM cluster for automotive EU R&D Projects. Urban EV started in September 2013 and will last until August 2016.

The project includes 10 partners with complementary expertise from 5 countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain and Turkey).

Objectives of Urban EV

The main objective is to apply innovative manufacturing technologies and materials to produce prototypes of a 2-seat urban electric vehicle, achieve a purely electric range in urban conditions of 150 km, a weight reduction of 17% compared to the initial prototype, and to fulfill specification of the European L7e vehicle class.

To do so, the consortium will design, manufacture and demonstrate new concepts in all major systems of the vehicle. The starting point of development is the Casple-EV. The Main construction materials will be light alloys and low cost polymeric composites applying high integrity manufacturing processes.

Sphera’s role in the project

Sphera is leader of the WP5 in the project, which is responsible for the environmental analysis of the new vehicle. WP5 will generate LCA models for the new Urban EV.

The LCA includes all stages of the life cycle. This involves environmental results for the applied materials and vehicle part production, and an analysis of the mass induced electricity savings due to weight reduction during the use phase. Sphera will also analyze end-of-life strategies for the Urban EV concept.

eCAIMAN

The success of electric vehicles in the mass market depends on the development of high-energy batteries at a competitive price. The research efforts of the past decade have continuously improved the energy densities of batteries, yet electric vehicles have only gradually made their way into the market. A combined surge in both consumer demand and industrial “push” is now on the verge of prompting a significant market uptake.

Objectives of eCAIMAN

eCAIMAN will develop a more powerful battery by modifying and improving individual components and technologies to result in a significant overall improvement of the cell. Key innovations include a 5V high- voltage spinel, a high- capacity composite anode, and a stable high- voltage electrolyte. Their cumulative effect will improve total cell capacity by at least 20%.

eCAIMAN will not develop high risk / high gain components, due to the higher the risk of failure. This will ensure the success of the project and deliver a market- near product, while at the same time achieving the goals of the call.

eCAIMAN scale-up is designed with existing European production technologies and inexpensive materials mined in Europe, thereby reducing the final battery price. The battery is developed in collaboration with large European light, medium and heavy duty vehicle manufacturers, allowing eCAIMAN to address a broad scope of real end-user demands.

eCAIMAN will develop a truly European high-performance battery ready for implementation in the global market.

General information about eCAIMAN

• Name: Electrolyte, Cathode and Anode Improvements for Market-near Next-generation Lithium Ion Batteries
• Starting date: 01/01/2010
• Funding type: H2020-EU.3.4.
• Duration: 3 years
• Partners:
  Ait Austrian Institute Of Technology Gmbh
  Ethniko Kentro Erevnas Kai Technologikis Anaptyxis
  Arkema France Sa
  Commissariat A L Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives
  Centro Ricerche Fiat Scpa
  Eutema Gmbh
  Fundacion Cidetec
  Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland Ltd.
  Lithops Srl
  Sphera
  Piaggio & C S.P.A.
  Politecnico Di Torino
  Sp Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut Ab
  Volvo Technology Ab

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