Components
Most of the technological components installed in an electric vehicle have been well-known for a long time and are developed up to series production phase. Nevertheless, their common application area is usually quite different from their use in electric vehicles. Therefore, a big need of advancements still exists for all components (e.g. electric engines, power electronics, gearbox, etc.) and the combination of these in an electric vehicle. Not only the component itself can be improved, but especially the interaction of all components with each other must be opimized and controlled.
Questions arise like: Which magnetic materials can be used? Are there alternatives to copper? How can fuel cells be improved for their application as range extender? A number of optimization options exist already in the material level in order to make the operation more economical and efficiently.
Not every component fits in every vehicle. Thereby "Fitting" refers to various meanings. The components' attriutes have to be suitable to its application in terms of weight, construction space and power range. Costs are not to be neglected neither. Only within these demands the component can be constructed ideally.
Within the TUM Science Center for Electromobility this means, that every institute can use its special knowledge on single parts for economical and efficient optimization while the complete organisation ensures the efficient integration of each component into the final application.