A team of Nissan’s UK-based engineers is leading a new government-backed study into using smart energy technology to cut EV running costs.
The group from Nissan’s European technical centre in Cranfield will take charge of the £10 million scheme that will examine everything from on-vehicle solar panels to vehicle-to-grid power sharing.
Those behind Project Suite say they hope it will “fundamentally change how electric vehicles are charged, powered and experienced”. Its key aims are to address the rising costs of home energy and public charging, whilst improving EV efficiency, affordability and sustainability.
The three-year project will involve Nissan’s engineers and partners from 10 business and academia who will combine advanced power electronics, AI technology and renewable energy integration into Nissan Leaf test vehicles.
Among the technology fitted to the test mules will be vehicle-integrated solar panels which will deliver energy to the drive battery to boost range and reduce charging bills. These will be accompanied by a new gallium nitride traction inverter with AI-enhanced controls, which is intended to boost the car’s energy efficiency.
Bidirectional charging and a new “intelligent” charging management system will allow the car to feed renewable energy back into the grid to support energy balancing, while providing the lowest-possible cost charging.
David Moss, senior vice president of research and development at Nissan Europe said: “This project highlights the strength of UK innovation and marks a significant step towards the next generation of integrated energy technologies for electric vehicles.
“Through close collaboration with industry and academic partners, we are advancing solutions that lower the cost of ownership, improve efficiency and deliver greater value for customers.”
Project Suite is backed by the UK Government’s £4 billion DRIVE35 programme, through the the Department for Business and Trade, the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and Innovate UK.
Ian Constance, CEO of the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, said: “This multi-million pound support package is more than an investment in technology; it is an investment in the people, skills, and companies that will define the future of clean transport. Together, we are building the foundations of a competitive, resilient, and sustainable automotive industry.”
