Concept and Approach

The overall concept set out in the ECOCHAMPS project is based on the improvement of hybrid vehicles; light duty (passenger cars and light commercial vehicles) and heavy duty (vans, city buses and trucks). The improvement proposed will be enabled by a high level of standardisation of components and modularisation of systems as well as from synergies over different vehicle types. For that reason, a range from passenger cars, buses to heavy duty trucks will be covered: five demonstrator vehicles will be built.

The ECOCHAMPS work plan (see picture), is based on the following logical steps:
•    Set the targets;
•    Modularisation, standardisation and development of hybrid components leading to cost optimisation;
•    Design and build up the hybrid drivelines and vehicles;
•    Evaluate the demonstration vehicles, underlying hybrid powertrains, components and technologies;
•    Prepare the implementation and exploitation of the results and disseminate the findings.

The project is divided into two different types of activities: ‘horizontal’ and ‘vertical’.  The horizontal type relates to generic and collaborative activities that are key to realising synergies through the project and achieving the goals of standardisation, evaluation and dissemination; they include the overall project management activities. The vertical type relates to specific component or demonstrator vehicle development and validation activities.