The worldwide first hybrid multi-functional municipal vehicle for a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, fine particles and noise pollution in cities

Project Information

Hybrid Drive

Grant agreement ID: 829319

DOI

10.3030/829319

Project terminated on 5 February 2020

EC signature date 13 September 2018

Start date 1 October 2018

End date 30 September 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 2 840 187,50

EU contribution

€ 1 988 131,25

Coordinated by

MAX HOLDER GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Hybrid Drive (The worldwide first hybrid multi-functional municipal vehicle for a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, fine particles and noise pollution in cities)

Reporting period: 2019-10-01 to 2020-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Holder is an innovative and highly awarded SME with a very long history in the development and production of special vehicles. In the more than 125 years long company history, several market-disrupting technologies have been developed. The main foundation for nowadays success was laid in 1954 when the company developed and introduced articulated steering. With this technology, Holder became world-renowned in the segments for municipal vehicles, viticulture and horticulture. Today, Holder vehicles are sold in more than 50 countries worldwide and the company is a market leader for multi-purpose vehicles with articulated steering. Building on the know-how and market position, Holder will now introduce the next breakthrough into the market: The Holder Hybrid Drive for lowest emission multi-purpose vehicles with articulated steering. This will allow the combination of an electric power source with a range extender for heavy work as well as a combination of different drive sources. With this innovative solution, Holder directly addresses a quickly emerging customer need: current municipal vehicles are solely powered by diesel engines, which are associated with NOx and PM emissions and thus, more and more affected by strict regulations. Cities and municipalities are therefore looking for clean and
sustainable solutions to improve their air quality and fulfil all legal requirements without impeding their everyday work. This need will be fulfilled by Holder Hybrid Drive. Thus, Holder plans to subsequently equip all vehicles with the Hybrid Drive technology to generate a competitive edge and further extend the market leadership. For the initial market introduction, Holder addresses the European market for municipal services. The global distribution network will help to quickly enter the market and generate relevant market shares. With the commercialisation of Hybrid Drive, Holder plans to generate additional turnover of at least 33 million € in 2023 and 45 new positions. As of September 2019, Holder is part of the Kärcher Group.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the first project year, the transfer case was finally designed and the integration of the electrical components for the Hybrid Drive powertrain was largely completed. A possible driving profile could be simulated on the test bench and the selected electric motors could be tested for their suitability for use. Furthermore, the individual powertrain components were tested on a function carrier under real conditions. With regards to commercialisation and communication, technology days were held with dealers, customers and selected partners to determine the infrastructure and high-voltage safety requirements for an electrified vehicle at an early stage. Especially outside Europe, there are different requirements for high-voltage safety and infrastructure, so that an early connection of customers and dealers is recommended. Target segments for a hybridised vehicle have been defined for both national and international markets. Development of these segments. is carried out either by Area Sales Managers, local sales offices or general importers. In the shortened second period, the main focus was on prototype testing, the software development for driving algorithms, and battery concepts for vehicle integration.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The use of a hybrid powertrain in multifunctional vehicles opens up new fields of application. Especially in areas polluted with fine dust or in closed rooms, purely electric driving or working is possible. This is currently a novelty in the field of articulated vehicles. Furthermore, in applications requiring very high performance, short-term load peaks can be absorbed by means of the built-in electric motors. For example, it is conceivable that the snow cutter will no longer be able to clog in the future.

Holder Hybrid Vehicle