EU gives €8m for electric two wheeler research

The EU Commission will fund research into electric powered two wheelers for the first time. The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) reports that consortia are invited to bid for funds to research efficiency improvements to existing vehicles or even to propose new vehicle types for research and prototyping.

Horizon 2020 includes the former ‘Green Cars Initiative’, which has now become the ‘Green Vehicles Initiative’ (EGVI). Within the initiative, €5-8m is identified for ‘Electric two wheelers and new light vehicle concepts’.

ECF Development Director Kevin Mayne said: “So who should be grabbing this category and making it part of their future? The bike industry of course. Whole else knows the most about successful development and deployment in this category? Which industry is hard at work talking to local governments about new infrastructure? Who has cargo bikes and bike share actually working for some of the major cities? So it seems obvious to us that the bike industry will want to get actively involved in research consortia bidding for this cash.”

While the call officially excludes the bicycle and pedelec category, it is aimed at the electric powered vehicle sector, known as ‘Type L’. This can include speed pedelecs and e-cargo bikes and the funding has an open invitation to develop innovative Light Electric Vehicles.

The first element is a call to research focused on energy efficiency improvements for a wide range of vehicle types. Research will address cost efficiency, integration and modularity of battery packs, electric and plug-in hybrid power trains, system integration and innovative vehicle architecture.

The second element of the call suggests funding could be available for the development and proof of concept of new ultra-light vehicles for passengers. Mayne said: “From the Information Day that we attended we learned that the EU is concerned that really innovative vehicle design in the small vehicle category seems to be dominated by non-European companies and researchers, such as concept vehicles from Toyota.”