Kick off meeting of H2020 ZEFES project

06 February 2023Reading time : 1 minute

Research

Professor dr. Frans Tillema and senior researcher dr. Karel Kural of HAN Automotive Research attended on the 1st and 2nd of February the kick off meeting of H2020 ZEFES project. HAN University of Applied Sciences is one of the partners who is responsible for co-development of specific layers of digital twin.

495672 Kick off meeting of H2020 ZEFES project in February 2023 with HAN professor Frans Tillema and senior researcher Karel Kural and other partners

The ZEFES (Zero Emissions flexible vehicle platforms with modular powertrains serving the long-haul Freight Eco System) project has officially started on the 1st of January 2023. The project , 3,5 years, will contribute to the aims and objectives set out in the Green Deal and 2ZERO partnership, where Europe commits itself to be the first CO2 neutral continent by 2050. The use of zero tailpipe emission vehicles for long-distance heavy-duty transport is an important pathway towards achieving these targets.

In this project, such vehicles are Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). In the ZEFES project, OEMs, suppliers and research partners will work together towards the overall goal of ZEVs for long distance heavy transport, by focussing on efficiency improvements, mass production capabilities and demonstrating the use of the technology in daily operations. This will bring ZEV adoption in the freight transport ecosystem a big step further.

ZEFES major outcomes are to:

Execute real-world demonstrations of long-haul BEVs and FCEVs across Europe to take zero-emission long-haul goods transport in Europe to the next level.
Create a pathway for long-haul BEVs and FCEVs to become more affordable and reliable, more energy efficient, with a longer range per single charge and reduced charging times able to meet the user’s needs.
Develop technologies which can deliver promised benefits (easy handling, similar driving hours & charging/Hydrogen Refuelling stations, high speeds and ability to operate in complex transport supply chains).
Make the mapping of flexible and abundant charging/Refuelling points and novel charging concepts.
Create novel tools for fleet management to support the rising number of long-haul BEVs and FCEVs vehicles in the logistics supply chains.

40 partners from all over Europe

The project has 40 partners from all over Europe, representing the entire heavy-duty value chain. ZEFES is coordinated by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), represented by MOBI-EPOWERS Research group and will last 42 months.

ZEFES is co-funded by the European Union under grant number 101095856. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.