EU to provide funding opportunities for R&D related to the Electric Vehicle

The European Commission will call for proposals on the development and design of intelligent microsystems for electric vehicles in the FP7 ICT Work Programme for 2009-2010. This statement was made by Antti Peltomäki, the Deputy Director General of DG Infso, at the Expert Workshop on “Smart Systems for the Full Electric Vehicle”, jointly organized by EPoSS and the European Commission on 24-25 June 2008 in Brussels.

The experts see "Smart Systems" as a key enabling technology for the electric vehicle. According to the discussions during the workshop, more research is needed particulalry in the areas of battery management, power electronics and active control of engines and wheels. In addition, ICT solutions for the integration of electric vehicles into the electric net and range extension were discussed. 60 pre-selected experts from vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and academic research institutions from 8 different countries took part in this exclusive event. The results of the workshop will be published by the end of July.