Niche Vehicle Network

Production Readiness Fast Track / 2020

PACES (Passenger and Commercial EV Skateboard)

JSC AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED

PACES will build upon a recently completed 2019 NVN-PoC project, advancing the technical and manufacturing readiness of a configurable eSkateboard concept, to be demonstrated on a JSCA vehicle application.

This will facilitate a step change in cost effective electric vehicle platform viability for niche manufacturers and specialist vehicle converters across the passenger, sportscar and light commercial sectors.

The partners will develop and extensively test an eSkateboard with integrated battery enclosure on a JSCA vehicle, accelerating the supply chain and manufacturing processes toward full production readiness. The eSkateboard and JSCA vehicle will progress to market in 2021 following successful project completion.

Production Readiness Fast Track / 2020

Body Panels in Recycle Carbon Fibre Composite - Applications, Refinements & Production

BRAHMS ELECTRIC VEHICLES LIMITED

Carbon fibre has a vital role to play in vehicle light-weighting. However carbon fibre is very energy intensive to produce so re-using and recycling this material is also vital in order to gain it's full environmental benefit. Existing vehicle legislation requires that materials are recycled. Vehicle end of life quantities of carbon fibre are increasing. This project demonstrates a wide range of automotive applications of the recycled carbon fibre and brings them to a production capable stage demonstrated on electric hearses. Each partner will take the project knowledge forward to a variety of applications.

Production Readiness Fast Track / 2020

ACRIM II

CARBON THREESIXTY LIMITED

A range extending and performance enhancing lightweight wheel for small to medium sized electric vehicles. Lightweight composite wheels have, until now, been reserved for high-end luxury or performance sports cars. ACRIM II will buck this trend. Reducing rotating and unsprung mass has a measurable and significant impact on the efficiency and performance of a vehicle. The use of innovative preforming technologies, advanced material systems and process automation ensures scalability and cost reduction for production volumes. By utilising a novel modular construction, multiple wheel stylings can be realised with minimal NRE. ACRIM II demonstrates the future of ultra-lightweight automotive wheels

Production Readiness Fast Track / 2020

ALECS - Articulated Lightweight Electric Cargo Solution

PASHLEY HOLDINGS LIMITED

Preparing the innovative and lightweight last mile delivery e-trike designed under the ALECS PoC project for production. The resulting product will deliver a safe, zero emission, efficient last mile delivery vehicle with a configurable multi-function platform, creating a significant market opportunity.

Project partners are Pashley Cycles (project lead and vehicle manufacturing), Simpact Engineering (engineering consultancy and product-development specialists), the UoW (manufacturing control, visualisation and low carbon specialists) and Foresight Innovations (Lightweight cargo loadspace specialists). Supply-chain subcontractors include Reynolds and Omnia-CS. Serco, the provider of mobility projects nationally and Zedify, a leading UK cargo e-trike delivery business, will be observers.

Production Readiness / 2019

11 Tonne Electric Drive Axle

HALL ENGINEERING AND DESIGN LIMITED

We designed, built and tested a sophisticated electric axle for Dennis Eagle's prototype UV Plugin Hybrid vehicle. After this successful project, Hall Engineering And Design Ltd want to team up with Portland Engineering and EVParts UK Ltd to move this prototype technology towards production reality. The axle has integrated motors, inverters and hub reduction gearing. The main focus will be on simplification and cost reduction to make this axle technology viable for niche manufacturers such as DE. Dennis Eagle are gifting us a donor vehicle to demonstrate the axle on

Production Readiness / 2019

High Power Density E Powertrain

SWINDON POWERTRAIN LIMITED

Between September 2017 and February 2018, Swindon Powertrain led the extremely successful proof of concept project NV17-PC128, E Classic - electrification of a Mini.

We now wish to bring its E powertrain, an extremely compact unit with a very competitive ratio power / cost , to production, with a widened commercial scope, also covering light commercial, recreational and niche manufacturers vehicles.

In order to achieve this we are bringing Swindon's overall powertrain expertise together with iNetic's electric motor manufacturing know how and Code Automotive's specific transmission design consultancy experience.

Proof of Concept / 2019

Motorcycle Instant Top-Up Battery System

BRACE TECHNOLOGY LTD

Development of the first modular battery system with quick change capability for use in a motorcycle. The novel hex design energy modules will allow customisable integration into different vehicle platforms to suit any price, power and range requirement. The unique battery management system offers a discharge across the cells simulating a conventional fuel tank allowing for instantaneous top ups. The energy pods can be used on and off vehicles as stand-alone battery pods giving energy to remote locations and emergency situations.

Production Readiness / 2019

HYBRID TITANIUM CARBON FIBRE ROAD WHEEL

AJE POWERTRAIN LTD

A true titanium wheel with carbonfibre barrel for automotive applications. Manufactured using two NVN developed low cost, low carbon technologies. Comparable manufacturing costs to that of conventional aluminium performance wheels.

By combining the high strength of the titanium with the low mass of carbon fibre the benefits are real performance and fuel economy / range extension, a 50% reduction in inertia and the opportunity to improve overall vehicle efficiency by between 3% and 5%.

The wheel will be a UK manufactured product with a production run of circa 8000 units per year, being available worldwide to OEMs and aftermarket consumers.

Proof of Concept / 2019

Revolutionary Aerodynamic Motorcycle Design

WHITE MOTORCYCLE CONCEPTS LTD

This project aims to deliver a prototype motorcycle that, under laboratory conditions, will demonstrate dramatic aerodynamic advantages over current production motorcycles. The prototype will demonstrate that the design will be suitable for the next generation of electrically powered motorcycles by addressing current aerodynamic inefficiency to vastly improve range and enhance potential for heat exchanger cooling. In addition, the new design will deliver improved safety performance through enhanced stability at steady state motion and even more importantly in the braking phase.

Proof of Concept / 2019

Body panels in recycled carbon fibre composite

BRAHMS ELECTRIC VEHICLES LIMITED

Carbon fibre has a vital role to play in vehicle light-weighting. However carbon fibre is very energy intensive to produce so re-using and recycling this material is also vital in order to gain it's full environmental benefit. Existing vehicle legislation requires that materials are recycled and vehicle end of life quantities of carbon fibre are increasing. This project explores the application of the recycled carbon fibre through the development and demonstration of a vehicle roof and tailgate for an electric hearse. Each partner will take the project knowledge forward to a variety of applications.