Smart Wheels

Sponsored by the Federal Economics Ministry to the tune of about nine million Euros, a broad network of research facilities and technology companies is developing and researching new business models and workable concepts for a viable and comfortable electric mobile future. Special attention is paid thereby to the connection to the "Internet der Energie" (the E-Energy Road Map) and the public utility companies' infrastructure.

Ten Fiat 500s in field trials

At the beginning of October, within the framework of the smart wheels project, ten Fiat 500s were converted into electric vehicles for research purposes. The small Italian runabout was to help gather practical experience. For this purpose, FEV Motorentechnik GmbH equipped the vehicles with electromotors. Initially for one year, the partners in the project, RWTH Aachen, Forschungsinstitut für Rationalisierung e.V., STAWAG as well as Stadtwerke Duisburg AG, will drive the electric cars in a field test, and test their suitability for daily use whereby typical use profiles for electric vehicles should be determined from which demands on the electricity and charging network infrastructure as well as the battery technology should result. The researchers and developers focus, above all, on reliability, safety and range.

Electric Bus for ASEAG

In addition, the Electric Fiats are setting a trend in the model region of Aachen. Together with the e-scooters which have already been on Aachen's streets for the smart wheels project since May 2009, and an electric bus which will be sent out on a field test for ASEAG in this year, make the leap into an electric mobile future visible.

The Project Consortium

The members of the smart wheels consortium, in addition to STAWAG and FEV Motorentechnik GmbH, are the Forschungsinstitut für Rationalisierung (FIR) and the Chair for Combustion Engines (VKA) at the RWTH Aachen University, regio IT Aachen, Mennekes Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Deutsche Bahn and five different RWTH Aachen institutions.

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