The Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) has embarked on a groundbreaking new project, EMPOWER, to develop two zero-emission 40-ton trucks in collaboration with 13 partners across Europe. The €18 million project, which stands for Eco-operated, Modular, and Flexible Multi-POWERtrain for Long-Haul Heavy-Duty Vehicles, was launched at AIT’s headquarters in Vienna, with representatives from all partners in attendance.
EMPOWER’s goal is to create two heavy-duty electric vehicles with a range of 750 km powered by hydrogen and a range of 400 km powered solely by a battery. These vehicles will be tested in five long-haul and regional distribution use cases, including cross-border corridors between European member states. The project’s overarching requirement is modularity, with the vehicle, high and low-voltage architecture, and energy storage all designed to be modular. The fuel cell system will prioritize high reliability and an extended operational lifetime, while the drive axle will be geared for efficiency.
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In addition to hardware requirements, EMPOWER will feature a new Human Vehicle Interface to optimize control of vehicle systems, with Vehicle-to-Grid communication and eco-routing. A fleet management system, overall life cycle analysis, total cost of operation assessment, and green hydrogen infrastructure are also part of the project’s objectives.
The AIT will develop digital twin models for the simulative design and impact assessment of the measures to be implemented. The Institute will also implement a thermal management system by integrating key components of the truck, such as fuel cells, batteries, power electronics, and the electric machine. The planned air conditioning concept uses the heat of the cabin waste air to either pre-cool or pre-heat the freshly supplied air, and the additional integration of infrared panels is expected to reduce energy demand for heating/cooling by up to 70%, especially at transition temperatures around +10°C.
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The EMPOWER project’s partners include IVECO and Air Liquide, who are likely to take on the H2 infrastructure, FPT Motorenforschung AG, IFP Énergies nouvelles, Politecnico di Torino, Istituto per Innovazioni tecnologiche Bolzano, Lead Tech, Villinger GmbH, Fundación CIDETEC, CT Engineering GmbH, Gruber Logistics, and Brembo, a brake specialist.
The EMPOWER project is a significant step towards reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, and its innovative approach to modularity and sustainability is a model for future initiatives in the industry. The AIT and its partners are paving the way for a greener future for transportation in Europe and beyond.
