A3PS members congregate in five thematic expert groups. These expert groups elaborate positions, trends, R&D demands and demands concerning the essential legal framework for prospective technologies.
A3PS’s goal is to empower the Austrian industry and academia in R&D regarding a global perspective to keep Austria competitive. All R&D topics presented in the A3PS area comprise only CO2-neutral solutions, global oriented.
Expert groups BEP, FCH and HYF focus on powertrain technology including the respective energy carriers. The expert groups VISS and IMP cover cross-sectional topics relating the entire vehicle such as production technologies, materials, system of the system and digitalization.
Although the focus of the A3PS expert groups is the automotive sector with on- and off-road vehicles including non-road mobile machinery, other mobility sectors such as aviation and inland/maritime shipping will also benefit from the research addressed here.
Circular economy must be considered in all technology sectors. This increases the research demand since, besides functional efficiency, additionally safety, security, durability, recyclability and second life must be considered. This is essential for the overall vehicle, components, batteries, bearing parts, etc.
Expert Group BEP
Leadership since 2024: Dr. Damian Cupid
Deputy: Christian Sandner (Miba), Peter Scheuermann (AIT)
Expert group BEP focuses on strong scientific and informative public relations work about energy storage and electric components of battery electric vehicles.
Areas of Focus
- Energy Storages
- (Structural) Battery Integration from cell to pack to battery system
- Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries 3rd and 4th generation as well as advanced Battery Technologies
- Electric Components
- HRE-Free Electric Motor technology and manufacturing
- Inverter, Power Electronics and Controls for efficiency
- Charging Technologies
- Ultra-fast charging technology
- Thermal and Energy Management & System on BEV Level
- New more efficient Technologies and system integration
Thermal consideration is highly essential both for the battery electric propulsion system and for the overall vehicle management. The latter aspects are addressed in Expert Group VISS.
Expert Group FCH
Leadership since 2017: Dr. Alexander Trattner
FCH expert group’s focus is on fuel cell techonolgy for electric vehicles and renewable hydrogen. Regarding hydrogen, production from non-fossil sources as well as distribution, stoarge and hydrogen refueling statins (HRS) are adreassed here. Hydrogen combustion can be found in expert group HYF.
Areas of Focus
- Development tools, measuring and testing technology
- Electrolysis (all types) – materials, cell, stack, system and systems
coupled with renewable energies - Fuel cell (all types) – materials, cell, stack and system
- Fuel cell vehicles for various applications (incl. operations strategies
and controls) ranging from passenger cars via commercial vehicle to off-road vehicles - Functional Integration and secure packaging
- Hydrogen refueling infrastructures for all vehicle categories
- Hydrogen storage technologies for mobile and stationary applications
- Laboratory infrastructure for research and development work including real-gas, real-size testing infrastructure for hydrogen systems and components with focus on supplier industry
Expert Group HYF
Leadership since 2017: Dr. Peter Prenninger
Deputy: Dr. Peter Grabner (TU Graz ITnA)
The Expert group HYF concentrates on the identification of research needs in the fields of sustainable energy carriers and all kinds of efficient hybrid powertrain technologies, including internal combustion engines - fueled with sustainable liquid and gaseous fuels, i.e. incl. “green” H2 - for vehicles. H2-production from non-fossil sources as well as distribution, storage and hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) are addressed in expert group FCH.
Areas of Focus
- Hybrid System
- New more efficient hybrid topologies
- Electrified and on-demand-driven auxiliary units
- Energy management (including thermal
management – also for EV!) - Control of the hybrid system for max. efficiency
- Hybrid Powertrain
- Transmission (also for EV!) and clutch technology for hybrid vehicles
- Thermodynamics of the ICE including Exhaust Gas Treatment
- Combustion technologies for hydrogen and sustainable energy carriers
- Enhanced exhaust gas after-treatment for sustainable fuels incl. cold start conditions
- “Circular”(!) material technology for engine efficiency improvements
- Sustainable Fuels
- Efficient and “green” (i.e. sustainable) production with special focus on advanced catalytic processes, on-board storage and use of CO2-neutral energy carriers
- “Circular” material technology for advanced / new CO2-neutral fuels/energy carriers
Expert Group VISS
Leadership since 2019: Dr. Bernhard Brandstätter
Deputy: Dr. Barbara Unterauer (Magna Powertrain)
Expert group VISS deals with advanced and future vehicle concepts linking to the other three expert groups. The vehicle is increasingly understood as part of a system of systems. Energy efficiency and safety are leveraged by this new view. Major effort, however, must be put on digitalization, automation and connectivity to reach user acceptance and trust in yet new but necessary concepts.
Areas of Focus
- The vehicle is increasingly understood as part of a system of systems.
- Energy efficiency and safety are leveraged by this new view.
- Research Requirements:
- General needs for digitalization, automation and connectivity
- Optimal control and associated off-board functionality
- Specific research needs for energy efficiency, vehicle safety and non-exhaust particle emissions
- Life cycle assessment, which becomes increasingly important for Vehicle Design and Vehicle Concepts
Expert Group IMP
Leadership since 2024: Prof. Franz Haas
Expert Group IMP focuses on advanced vehicle concepts comprising new lightweight materials and innovative production technologies. The demanding requirements regarding CO2/GHG emissions and safety make integrative vehicle concepts a major driver of innovation, in which functional, material engineering and joining technology lightweight construction are systematically linked.
Materials, design and production in this expert groups mainly consider the entire vehicle. Specific production technologies such as e.g. for batteries and fuel cells are considered in the appropriate expert groups.
Areas of Focus
- Lightweight Design
- Construction Based Lightweight Design
- Material Based Lightweight Design
- Innovative Development Processes
- Innovative Production Technologies
All A3PS expert groups meet at least quarterly and more frequently for regular updates of the position papers and the A3PS Roadmap.