AVL to supply test equipment for ground-breaking facility that will position Scotland at the forefront of zero emission, heavy-duty fleet developments utilising battery and fuel cell electric technologies.
Globally the transportation sector is increasing its efforts to reduce overall greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles in response to government regulations. Scotland has identified world-leading climate targets to eliminate transport emissions and address the global climate emergency. The Scottish Government has set ambitious mode-specific targets for decarbonising Scotland’s transport system, including removing the need for new petrol and diesel heavy-duty vehicles by 2035.
To make this a reality and help secure the benefits for Scottish businesses and industry in being the first to transition to a net-zero economy, the Scottish Government is investing over £7 million to support zero emission mobility across innovation projects, including the Low Carbon Transport Applications Centre (LOCATE).
This facility, which will be based at Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) in Dundee – the home of sustainable mobility in Scotland – is being led by the University of St Andrews’ Hydrogen Accelerator and the University of Strathclyde PNDC.
LOCATE has partnered with leading powertrain test equipment expert AVL, to develop a state-of-the-art test facility which will pioneer heavy-duty vehicle platform testing and innovation, specifically focusing on hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric propulsion systems.
AVL will supply, install and commission industry leading test equipment at the LOCATE facility including:
- 2WD heavy-duty powertrain testbed
- Testbed automation and control
- High-speed data acquisition
- Battery emulation
- Fuel cell controller
- Hydrogen consumption and metering
- Test cell HVAC and conditioning systems
- Hydrogen fuel cell exhaust management
- Vehicle autopilot in scope of supply for fully automated operation of vehicle
All test equipment will be interfaced utilising AVL’s Advanced Simulation Technology software and toolchains to ensure fast, efficient and robust testing.
On delivery of the facility, the AVL test equipment will offer a future-proof, flexible and innovative environment to develop the heavy-duty vehicles of tomorrow.
This partnership will lay the foundations for the development of a wider net-zero transport ecosystem, bringing to the fore innovation and the creation of high value jobs and skills. In addition, the facility will support Scotland’s industrial base for heavy-duty vehicles in the road and rail sectors.
John Irvine, The Chair of the Hydrogen Accelerator, commented: “We are delighted to be working with AVL on the development of the LOCATE facility to support the Scottish Government’s world-leading climate change targets. The Hydrogen Accelerator’s focus on zero emission mobility is to stimulate innovation, supply chain development, inward investment and creating high value employment. LOCATE complements both PNDC, based at the University of Strathclyde and the GENESIS facilities located at the University of St Andrews’ Eden Campus.”
Dr Antonio Ciriello, Managing Director, AVL United Kingdom Limited, said: “The rapid adoption of green technologies is essential for our low-carbon future, and we are really pleased to be a key part of the LOCATE project. Our contribution in providing the latest test technology will enable the performance of future powertrains to be demonstrated and objectively assessed at the earliest stage in the development cycle.”