EU Green Week Webinar | Towards a more sustainable mobility through the implementation of advanced solutions and lightweight materials in Electric Vehicles

During the EU Green Week, we were delighted to host a webinar organised by the EnlightEVs Cluster, where we delved into the advancements in sustainable and lightweight vehicle technology. 

We kicked off with an insightful opening statement from Maurizio Maggiore, Senior Expert at the DG Research of the European Commission. Maggiore stressed the need for a holistic approach to lightweighting, considering life cycle assessments, and the crucial role of recycled materials.

Vanessa Ventosinos and Pascal Lorenzini shared insights from the ALMA project. The team is dedicated to sustainability and lightweighting electric vehicle structures through strategies that promote reuse and recycling. They also discussed the project’s material choices and highlighted their success in achieving a 23% weight reduction compared to the baseline. Tom Ligthart introduced the BEVSIM tool, a life cycle assessment tool designed for non-experts, further contributing to the project’s holistic sustainability approach.

Fatigue4Light, introduced by Maria Violeta Parra, outlined a unique Eco-design methodology aiming for substantial weight reduction and sustainable, environmentally friendly technology development. The approach involves thorough life cycle assessments, life cycle costing, and eco-design implementation. Their application of this methodology has led to a potential 23% lower environmental impact for a demonstrator vehicle by reducing its weight by 30%.

Tose Petkov, presenting the FLAMINGo Project, explained the initiative’s efforts to reduce vehicle weight by enhancing aluminium’s properties to compete with steel. Through an intricate nanoparticle production process, significant weight reductions have been achieved in vehicle components. The project also ensures thorough testing of these components and addresses their recyclability for environmental sustainability.

The REVOLUTION project, in its final year, is harnessing the power of digitalization to enhance the manufacturing process and quality of car components. Their efforts include advanced lightweight materials and innovative injection moulding techniques aided by machine learning and artificial intelligence. They’ve also made significant strides, showcasing a 55% weight reduction in the backseat panel and a 20% reduction in the lower rear bumper.

The LEVIS project was presented by Clara Lazaro and Guan Gong. They focused on the development of lighter components for electric vehicles using innovative materials and assembly technologies. They also stressed the importance of end-of-life recycling strategies and environmental and economic impact analysis to support their initiatives.

Our sincere gratitude goes out to all the presenters, attendees, and the European Commission for its funding through the H2020 Programme. We’re excited about the progress these initiatives represent and look forward to seeing their continued development and impact on the future of sustainable automotive technology.

If you missed it, you can find the recording here: