ACEA

Innovation, Research & Development

Finding intelligent, affordable and world-leading mobility solutions

Vehicle manufacturers are a driving force for innovation in Europe, leading research and development into ever-safer, cleaner vehicles as well as improving manufacturing processes, logistics and mobility management.

They are Europe’s largest private investors in R&D; each year over €26 billion – about 5% of turnover – supports projects aimed at delivering a more sustainable, safe and competitive sector tomorrow. The industry files around 6,300 new patents every year. Fields such as materials technology, recycling, ICT and telematics, energy and fuels, drive-train development, aerodynamics and ergonomics are all included in auto makers’ diverse R&D portfolio.

Today’s safer roads and cleaner, more efficient vehicles are the direct result of past investment in R&D. They are also proof of the innovation and skills that characterise a highly competitive European auto sector.

Typically, R&D is a strategic and long-term process; automotive R&D relies on significant investment and, increasingly, partnership with stakeholders. It takes time to carry out R&D and undertake thorough tests to deliver production ready technologies. Bringing them to market is yet another step.

Transport and mobility are a prerequisite for economic prosperity and social activity, but also pose significant challenges for sustainability. In the decades to come, automotive research will focus on areas like managing transport growth, improving road safety and focusing on the environmental impact of increased mobility needs.

Historically, automotive R&D has been devoted to vehicle technology as such. Today, R&D in all important areas such as safety, energy and the environment includes the interaction between a vehicle, its driver and the surroundings.

Of course, enhanced communication, interaction and cooperation present many challenges, and these will require an intelligent and collective approach from a variety of stakeholders. The industry realises the need for a comprehensive strategy and is actively pushing for forward-thinking dialogue.

Impressive track record

Modern vehicles are the direct result of past investment and achievements in R&D. Manufacturers have a track record of innovative and affordable solutions, and remain committed to making vehicles even safer, cleaner, quieter, more economical and secure.

Tangible results have come in areas such as vehicle safety and emission reduction. Active and passive safety systems have significantly cut deaths and injury on Europe’s roads, despite an increase in traffic volumes.

Commercial vehicles and passenger cars are now close to emitting only trace levels of air pollutants. A modern truck uses up to 30% less fuel than one 30 years ago, while it takes twelve to produce the same noise level as one vehicle 35 years ago.

Average car fuel consumption and CO2 emissions has been cut by almost 20% thanks primarily to technology measures. That’s despite an average weight increase over the last 15 years, due to challenging regulations on safety, as well as consumer demand for larger vehicles with improved levels of comfort.

More recently, alternative drive concepts have been developed. Several car and van makers have hybrid vehicles in series production and the first hybrid trucks - suitable for local and regional distribution - are now entering the market. Alternative fuels offer great potential as well, although well-to-wheel analyses raise questions about sustainable and secure supply. Over the longer term, vehicles incorporating fuel cell technology and vehicles fuelled by hydrogen will come to our roads.

Time is a key factor in successfully bringing technologies to market. R&D efforts can deliver but only after a sufficient period of development, industrial integration and comprehensive testing. A perception of urgency or new legislation that does not respect time-scales will not accelerate progress. Groundbreaking technologies, particularly in-vehicle ITS systems that depend on action from a variety of stakeholders, will require time and resources to develop fully.

The road ahead

Finding new energy sources, respecting the earth’s limited resources and the protection of the environment will form the cornerstone of tomorrow’s mobility and transport plans. As we look ahead, the industry knows that an important element of sustainability is affordability, including the costs of vehicle operation and maintenance.

In a world of ever-increasing globalization and international competition, the automotive industry will work to keep costs down, to retain R&D facilities and production in Europe, and to safeguard the quality of its products. In this context, competitive strength is key.

R&D in safety systems

Today

• Airbags, air curtains, and airbag deployable front bonnets
• Improved front-end design to protect vulnerable road users
• ESP
• Active seat belts and pre-crash protection systems
• Lane departure warnings
• Night vision systems

Cooperative systems based on vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication

Tomorrow

• In-vehicle ICT/ITS systems, for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle to infrastructure communication
• Advanced driver assistance system
• Semi-autonomous vehicle functions

R&D in energy and environment

Today

• Diesel particulate traps
• Direct injection and exhaust gas recirculation
• Efficient gearing
• Electronic motor and transmission management
• Biofuel compliant vehicles
• Hybrid cars and trucks

Application areas of conventional and future propulsion systems

Tomorrow

• Full-electric drivetrains
• Hydrogen and fuel cell propulsion
• Advanced driver information systems

Collective action

Demand for transport is expected to increase and vehicle technology will play an important role in moving people and goods efficiently. But ultimately, solutions which are truly effective and sustainable will require more than things like drive concepts, better aerodynamics, telematics solutions and advanced electronics.

An effective, efficient and long-term mobility policy requires a full understanding of all relevant factors and cooperative action by all stakeholders. This will deliver a framework for future transport and a sustainable vision that can become a 21st century reality.

Key stakeholders include:

• European Commission, for determining priorities and for selecting the R&D activities to support for the benefit of the European Union;
• National and regional governments, responsible for national transport policies and strategic funding for R&D, and major road infrastructure projects as well as the programmes for general and scientific education;
• Road authorities, which manage traffic on the urban and interurban road network;
• The energy supply industry and infrastructure owners, which need to ensure there is an adequate supply and infrastructure of fuels and other energy carriers for the future that is sustainable ecologically and politically acceptable;
• The automotive industry, responsible for the development and manufacture of vehicles that are efficient, safe, environmentally friendly and affordable;
• The suppliers of the automotive industry, which are co-responsible for developing and manufacturing vehicles;
• Vehicle users, choice and use of vehicles has a great impact on safety, traffic, fuel usage and consumption, noise and the environment in general;
• Telecom and ICT industries, contributing to seamless communication, using different technologies and the development of open platforms for unimpeded information exchange between systems;
• Road infrastructure research institutions, that can contribute towards improved road design and road surface materials;
• Public transport operators, responsible for optimising the public transport systems and making the most appropriate choices, also in terms of vehicle procurement.

EUCAR

The European automobile industry is participating in a wide range of collaborative European research and development projects. The European Council for Automotive R&D (EUCAR) plays an important role in this context and provides the automotive manufacturers with a platform for identifying common pre-competitive European R&D.

Using this platform, the industry has defined the areas of research and development it considers to be of priority, in order to deliver competitive products and services for potential market launch in 2020, and beyond: Transport and Mobility, Energy and Environment, Safety and Security, Affordability and Competitiveness.

last updated 14/04/2010

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