EUREKA PROJECT > 4564 Buddy
NORWAY
Smart body system for ultra compact electric vehicle
Develop personal mobility systems based on custom designed ultra compact electric city vehicles (under 2.5 metres long). Develop materials and state-of-the-art technology to manufacture a light body structure for electric cars using energy efficient and cost efficient methods in small volumes.
Status > FINISHED - 06-Apr-2011 Technological Area Market Area Start Date > 01-Mar-2008 Duration > 36 Months Participating countries > PORTUGAL, NORWAY | Main contactPure Mobility AS Mr. Jan Otto Reimers > Program Manager/VP Business Dev Organisation type > SME |
Project Description
Smart body system for ultra compact electric car For battery powered ultra compact electric vehicles the weight is crucial to achieve good performance. Production and marketing of electric vehicles meets two main challenges; price and driving range. The body structure of the vehicle is a significant part of both weight and cost. ELBILNORGE has built up significant experience through 15 years of manufacturing and sales of ultra compact electric vehicles (less than 2.5 metres long) and especially challenges connected with production of body structures in small numbers. In recent years, close cooperation with PORTUGAL and the companies EVIBERIA and CEIIA has been established to explore the market potential and technical opportunities based on EVIBERIA’s market competence and CEIIA’s R&D capability within materials and automobile technology. The project is initiated by EVIBERIA to develop mobility systems based on market opportunities for custom designed ultra compact electric city cars (less than 2.5 metres long) and utility vehicles. New materials and technology for manufacturing the body for small electric cars may open the way to a smart and flexible concept where customer specific designs can be generated and manufactured in low volumes at a moderate cost. By use of ELBILNORGE’s BUDDY platform a complete solution can be made available for the market in limited volumes by 2009. The basis for the project is advanced material developed for other use that will be further developed for more demanding applications such as a light body system for small electric vehicles. The material has a lower density than materials normally used in car bodies today, and combined with wall thickness as low as 2 - 3mm it will significantly reduce the weight of the body. This will be possible as the material is expected to have the durability and physical properties to resist continuous movements and stress. It is also expected to deform and resist high loads under crash conditions without cracking.
Technological Development Envisaged
The project aim is to develop a new and unique body system for ultra compact electric vehicles based on low pressure injection of the two-component dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) which has some outstanding properties but has only been used for other applications up to now. The project will use the latest research results to develop both processes and materials for manufacturing light body panels with the high precision and demand required for such parts. The panels are to be lighter than more commonly used technology based on ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene), polyethylene and glass fibre reinforced polyester. It will also meet requirements for absorbing crash forces by deformation without cracks and penetration as well as withstanding normal bending and torsion from regular driving.
Main contactCEIIA - Centro para a Excelencia e Inovacao na Industria Automove Ms Helena Silva > Operational manager/Board Adviser Organisation type > Other |
Contribution to project
The Engineering Centre of CEIIA will provide the main part of the R&D, development and testing. This includes the execution of all product development phases, namely the following: - Design proposals for the exterior based on design guidelines; - Feasibility studies for the body, door and frame design concept; - Exterior surface modelling; - Design proposals for interior components based on design guidelines and approved exterior style; - Feasibility studies for interior components; - Frame development and optimisation; - Door development and optimisation; - Body components development; - Interior components development; - Suspension development and optimisation; - Carry-over parts investigation; - Materials investigation for process optimisation; - Exterior Style Mock-up Prototype building.
Expertise
CEIIA - ‘CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY’ has more than 30 company associates, including the main Portuguese suppliers, engineering universities, R&D centres and government agencies. The Engineering Centre is one of CEIIA’s units devoted to integrated product and process development for mobility industries, displaying in-house competences in all development phases of aeronautical and automotive industries and performing its work over six main technical areas: Styling; Virtual reality; Product and process design; Virtual analysis and validation; Prototype manufacturing and Quality control. This unit participates in and manages a network that integrates the main national and international universities and R&D Centres (such as FEUP, IST and UMinho) in PORTUGAL, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Fraunhofer Institute abroad, and the Portuguese industry, giving the necessary framework to develop two main activities: R&D&I AND HUMAN RESOURCES QUALIFICATION (to develop new competences in Portuguese industry through close collaboration between academia and industry) and ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES FOR PROCESS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (to support OEMs and their suppliers through engineering and development activities).
Main contactPure Mobility AS Mr. Jan Otto Reimers > Program Manager/VP Business Dev Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
ELBILNORGE is providing drivable base platforms for the project.
Expertise
ELBILNORGE AS was founded in 1992 - carrying out manufacturing, marketing and maintenance services of electric vehicles. In 1999, the company acquired ownership of the technological and production rights of BUDDY (original name Kewet) - with origins from DENMARK. Today, ELBILNORGE has production facilities in Oslo with a total staff of 25 people. The company’s target is to expand and develop its business in NORWAY, distribute the car in Europe and build up licensed productions. The authorities in NORWAY and elsewhere in Europe have ambitious policies for increased use of electric vehicles, including incentives offering considerable financial and time-saving benefits. With BUDDY’s proven technology and new design, increased number of staff, dedicated marketing personnel in the expansion countries and a solid distribution network underway, ELBILNORGE is preparing to increase production and expand sales to all countries in Europe.