Centre for ECO2 Vehicle Design

Purpose and goal

The research in the Centre has been disseminated in 9 PhD theses and more than 120 publications in scientific peer-review journals of high standing. The tangible impact on the partners involves recruitment of highly qualified personnel, together with state-of-the-art knowledge and methods for modelling and simulation of performance critical vehicle functions. The collaboration and interaction between academia/companies/society constitutes a part of an innovation system, where new technology and new knowledge are generated, exchanged and used to create sustainable growth.

Results and expected effects

Examples of the impact resulting from the research, include design measures and systems that mitigate the effects of transient side-winds on lightweight vehicles in general and those travelling at high speeds in particular. The tools developed have contributed to strategically important market successes. Yet another example is the research focussed on drive cycle simulations highlighting capacity and cost related to weight and space saved when multi-functional, integrated designs are used to increase transport efficiency.

Approach and implementation

The Centre explore new ways addressing considerations related to sustainability in early stages of the vehicle design process. The Centre integrates in a holistic approach, traditional engineering discplines through a multi-disciplinary, cross-functional conflict based research programme. With its original focus on internalising the life cycle impact in the early design of vehicle concepts optimising vehicle designs from a life cycle, the multidisciplinary research competence emerges at the core of the Centre itself.