ECOCHAMPS – Project Targets, their Tracking and the Evaluation of the Demonstrator Vehicles

The ECOCHAMPS project addresses the topic GV-04-2014 Hybrid Light and Heavy Duty Vehicles under the Horizon2020 programme (GA #653468) and is realized by a 26-member consortium. The overall objectives are to achieve efficient, compact, lightweight, robust and cost effective hybrid powertrains for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, with increased functionality, improved performance, comfort and emissions levels below Euro 6/VI. In particular, an expected impact of 20% powertrain efficiency improvements and weight plus volume reductions with respect to the best-in-class vehicles on the market in the reference year 2013 is set, whilst having a maximum 10% cost premium. This paper presents the targets and the tracking of the developments of the OEMs and the approach for the final evaluation of the five demonstrator vehicles built by Q1-2018. Moreover the paper also looks towards the development of current and future CO2 declaration methods for hybrid heavy duty commercial vehicles, supporting the deployment of next generation propulsion technologies for decarbonising freight transport.