The Swedish Energy Agency invests in climate-smart vehicles

The 17 projects (see appendix) whose aim is in various ways to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from light to heavy vehicles, is the first attempt at authorising the use of funding within the framework for the programme Vehicle-Strategic Research and Innovation (Fordonsstrategisk forskning och innovation – FFI).

Among others, the sub-supplier Haldex Traction AB has been awarded a subsidy of SEK 9.4 million for a project which aims at developing a new type of rear axle to create a simple hybrid technology for front-wheel drive passenger automobiles. The objective is to be able to produce vehicles with a 20-30% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions compared to conventional four-wheel-drive vehicles.

"It is interresting to support a forward-looking effort with a sub-supplier to the crisis-ridden automotive industry," says Director General Tomas Kåberger.

The Vehicle Strategic Research and Innovation project is a cooperative effort made between the Government and the Swedish automotive industry.

The programme will finance common research efforts, innovation and development activities primarily aimed at the overall theme areas Climate and Environment and Safety respectively. The project will be managed by Vinnova, The Swedish Energy Agency and the National Road Administration within the five sub programmes; Sustainable production technology, Vehicle development, Transport efficiency, Vehicle & traffic safety and Energy & Environment. The venture will include R&D operations valued at approximately SEK 1 billion per year, of which public funds amount to SEK 450 million per year.

Support totalling SEK 168.3 million in financing projects:

• Research, development and industrialisation study of electric vehicle for town traffic with considerable market potential, Volvo Personvagnar AB
• Second generation highly efficient engine system with limited rotation domain - Volvo Powertrain Corporation (SEK 27.6 million)
• Energy-efficient emissions reduction - Volvo Technology AB (SEK 21 million)
• Volvo Environmental Engine Architecture - Volvo Personvagnar AB (SEK 15 255 300)
• Second generation mild-hybrid powertrain with limited rotation domain - Volvo Powertrain Corporation (SEK 13.3 million)
• Electrically-powered axle for hybrid vehicles and electrically-driven vehicles -  Haldex Traction (SEK 9 382 901)
• Reliable powertrains for biodiesel - Volvo Powertrain Corporation (SEK 8 800 000)
• Integration, verification and demonstration - Volvo Powertrain Corporation (SEK 7 000 000)
• The next generation Otto engine – Volvo Personvagnar AB (SEK 7 000 000)
• Design optimisation of wheels and wheel housings on heavy vehicles for fuel consumption and cooling air flow – AB Volvo (SEK 3 868 000)
• Optimisation of the flow process in an engine room - Volvo Lastvagnar AB (SEK 3 075 000)
• Wet spinning disc clutches in heavy vehicles - Volvo Construction Equipment AB (SEK 2 950 000)
• Pneumatic hybrid engines with pneumatically-controlled valves - Cargine Engineering AB (SEK 2 420 000)
• Transient combustion control - Scania CV AB (SEK 2 395 000)
• Feed-back diesel - Scania CV AB (SEK 2 326 153)
• Charging research & development - General Motors Powertrain-Sweden AB (SEK 1 728 000)
• Exhaust-gas catalyst for fuels of the future - Volvo Technology AB (SEK 1 250 000)