As a response to the need to decrease the transportation related emissions and energy consumption, today, all major passenger car and other light-duty vehicle manufacturers are broadening their electric vehicle portfolio. The dependency of the present electrical traction motors on the rare materials, such as rare earth permanent magnet materials, namely Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets, is problematic from several viewpoints: they are imported and expensive and there is a real risk for supply problems in the coming years. To strengthen the European competitiveness, VOLTCAR ('Design, manufacturing, and validation of ecocycle electric traction motor') proposes high-speed, permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance technology with a drastic reduction in rare materials' utilisation. During VOLTCAR, the motor prototype is perfected to meet the strictest performance requirements (power density, efficiency), sustainability criteria (recyclability, circularity and low use of rare resources and copper) and the expectations of the automotive sector (cost, reliability, integrability). This major goal is supported by introducing digital design and optimisation methodologies that are capable of assessing the life cycle costs, energy consumption, and carbon footprint in the early phase, guiding the outcomes towards maximised sustainability with reduced use of rare materials and efficient recycling and repurposing patterns. The validity of the VOLTCAR motor prototypes, 50 kW and 120 kW motor, and related technologies is proved according to the automotive standards, presenting an X-in-the-loop (XiL) experimentation environments. With this development, VOLTCAR will simultaneously lead to more green jobs in local SMEs throughout Europe to reduce unemployment rate. The VOLTCAR consortium comprises world-leading automotive Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies and research partners with complementary knowledge and expertise for the successful execution of the proposed work.

Mild Hybrid cOst effective solution for a fast Market penetratiON. THOMSON (Mild Hybrid cOst effective solutions for a fast Market penetration) project aims to the development of cost effective solutions, based on 48V architectures, answering the need in reducing the environmental impact of the transportation sector through a clever combination of advanced engines technologies, electrification and wider use of alternative/renewable fuels. The project addresses very precise and consistent objectives to support a quick transition towards high efficient, cleaner and affordable electrified powertrains focusing on the 48V architectures, intended as key element to increase fuel economy and reduce environmental impact and to support a quick penetration on the market of the hybrid powertrains. Approaches developed in the THOMSON project will demonstrate how the right combination of advanced engine downsizing/turbocharging technologies, coupled with a 48V motor-generator system, can provide the most cost effective solution for a rapid electrification through conventional vehicles. The project will provide an exhaustive evaluation of this concept through the development of two different 48V architectures (one integrating the e-machine on the front engine belt drive, the other between the engine and the transmission) on two different engine families: on one side a mid-size 1.6 litre Diesel engine and, on the other one, a small downsized Spark Ignited CNG engine equipped with a Direct Injection system. This twin approach will allow to demonstrate how 48V architecture interacts with Diesel technologies (especially with regard to noxious pollutant reduction) and, on the other side, with Spark Ignited CNG ones, emphasizing the CO2 reduction already achieved through the use of a low carbon fuel such as CNG. Moreover, for both engine families, 48V architecture represent an important enabler to introduce electrically driven auxiliaries and sub-systems leading to a global better man