ELOV Energy-efficient LOw-emission Vehicle laboratory

Purpose and goal

A pre-study on the feasibility of creating an open environment for the development of vehicles and powertrains in harsh environments has been carried out on the initiative of the automotive industry. The intention is to explore the possibilities of a new establishment of a open large-scale laboratory environment (test bed) with the possibility to vary the air pressure, temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind speed of road vehicles. The pre-study provides support to continue the work of planning, construction and establishment of the test bed ELOV.

Results and expected effects

ELOV will become a large-scale facility for testing and development of cars, trucks and buses in the simulated climate combined with the skills of research and technological problem solving. By creating ELOV a unique test bed for the development and innovation of energy-efficient road vehicles will be created. The testbed will position Swedish competence in the area for both Swedish and European automotive engineering. Along with research and development in other core automotive areas ELOV will support a viable Swedish automotive industry.

Approach and implementation

The pre-study has addressed several different issues: - Together with industry and potential suppliers of the plant the technical performance was specified. - Areas for research and innovation linked to the test bed and principles for the use of the test bed were analyzed. - The business aspects of the operation of the test bed were been analyzed. - The needs and the issues about the development of the test bed were discussed. Designs picture for the feasibility study has been summarized and the possibilities to develop the test bed has been highlighted.