Life cycle cost reduction in electrical distribution transport thanks to individually adaptable drive trains

 

Motivation and procedure

Traffic and transport are the second largest sources of harmful CO2 emissions and contribute significantly to total NOx emissions. Freight traffic and in particular the steadily growing distribution traffic play a significant role. At present, however, there is no electrically powered and at the same time economical solution for the use of trucks of the EC vehicle class N3 up to max. 26t gross vehicle weight. It is therefore necessary to build up a solution space that enables users to use these vehicles in an optimised manner with regard to life cycle costs.

Research objectives

The overriding objective is the modularization of the drive train for the optimal operation of different customer requirements, taking into account a cost-oriented design and integration. The research of modular structures derived from customer requirements, the integration of the modules into a complete vehicle, as well as the validation of the powertrain topologies to be derived from the powertrain construction kit by the construction of pilot vehicles represent the core components of the research project. Furthermore, a new industrialization approach for the cost-effective production of such a modular powertrain construction kit is being researched. Further goals are:

• Modular component solutions for powertrain, energy storage and E/E.
• Adaptability of the modular system to different installation spaces
• Flexible production and integration of battery pack and drive unit
• Flexibilisation of component production through the use of additive tools