The Advanced Propulsion Centre has published six ‘Industry Challenges’ reports designed to help academia, industry and government determine where to focus their R&D activity in preparation for the transition to net-zero. The industry challenges present the technical barriers to commercialising low-carbon automotive technology in the short, medium and long term.
Developed using consensus insight from over 130 organisations, including vehicle manufacturers, technology developers and engineering consultancies, the reports identify the most significant technology themes and provide a non-exhaustive list of examples of the automotive R&D opportunities that could springboard innovation. These cover, Electrical Energy Storage; Electric Machines; Power Electronics; Thermal Propulsion Systems; Lightweight Vehicles and Powertrain Structures; and Fuel Cell technology.
The Fuel Cells Industry Challenges report provides insights into areas such as industry tools for stack design and systems optimisation; improving the efficiency of the fuel cells systems; thermal efficiency improvements; control systems and sensors; Life Cycle Assessment focused manufacturing methods; and carbon-neutral production.
The industry challenges are intrinsically linked to the Product and Technology Roadmaps and it is recommended that they are read in conjunction with the Roadmap Reports to provide added context and rationale behind the challenges presented.
Speaking about the industry challenges, APC Stakeholder Engagement Director, Philippa Oldham, said:
“Automotive innovation is moving at pace, and there is so much to go after, it can often be hard to know where best to focus efforts.
“Our product and technology roadmaps give a robust forecast of where industry and technology are moving over the next 10 to 15 years. These reports add to that, by identifying what the technology challenges might be within that timeframe and gives examples of the industrial and academic research that might get us to market-readiness faster.”
The reports were compiled with the support of APC’s Spoke Community, a national network that brings together specialist academic, technological and commercial expertise to share best practice for the development of low emission propulsion technologies. Each Spoke is hosted by a leading UK university, globally recognised in its field, with several named in the top 100 universities in the world.
You can find the Fuel Cells Industry Challenges report here: Fuel Cells Industry Challenges 2020-2035+
Download all six Industry Challenges reports here: APC Roadmaps and Industry Challenges reports