Cranfield University has extensive expertise in developing low carbon vehicles through research on hybrid and electric vehicle design, alternative fuels like hydrogen, lightweight materials, and analyzing human factors like safe and efficient driving. This work includes projects on electric sports cars, fuel cell vehicles, and technologies to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Cranfield partners with automotive companies and works to provide education and training related to advancing sustainable transportation.

1. Realising low
carbon vehicles
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Image courtesy a2om
For more information please visit:
www.cranfield.ac.uk/automotive

2. Cranfield’s expertise
Cranfield’s mission to transform knowledge into ingenious solutions in science, technology
and management makes us one of the world’s foremost innovators. As a wholly
postgraduate university, our deep expertise in specialist areas means that we are uniquely
placed to work effectively with policymakers and industry.
We have an established history of research and teaching in the field of low carbon
vehicles and have developed dedicated facilities to support this. The spectrum of our
activities spans experimentation and analysis of a wide range of technical issues; it
includes system design, the manufacturing process and its organisation, together with
human factors in vehicles.
Hybrid and electric vehicle design and novel • Tyre Slip Control – this work focuses on defining
fundamental traction characteristics for common off-road
power trains surfaces. From this knowledge, traction control systems can
be designed to minimise energy lost in wheel slip and the
Cranfield has an impressive track record in the design and
use of energy intensive interventions with brakes for wheel
integration of near-to-market solutions for hybrid, electric and fuel
speed control. Control of slip with protected forward motion
cell vehicles. At the heart of this is our expertise in novel power
reduces damage to environmentally sensitive off-road
trains and their ability to have a positive environmental impact
surfaces.
through improved efficiencies and reduced emissions.
For more information please contact:
A variety of research is conducted ranging from improvements
Professor Nick Vaughan, Head of Automotive Engineering
to conventional internal combustion engines to innovative power
Department
train platforms to the control of tyre slip. Our ability to work right
E: n.d.vaughan@cranfield.ac.uk
through the value chain from initial vehicle feasibility studies
through to detailed design and manufacture highlights the added
Dr Patrick Luk, Head of Power and Drives Group
benefit Cranfield can offer.
E: p.c.k.luk@cranfield.ac.uk
Our work in this area is best summarised by highlighting the
Dr James Brighton, Off Road Vehicle Dynamics
major programmes we have contributed to:
E: j.l.brighton@cranfield.ac.uk
• NICE Super Light Electric Sport Car – built around a Alternative Fuels
super-light carbon-fibre cell within a traditional coupe body
the vehicle is powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries, Our underpinning research into the specification, integration and
and also features a novel all-electric drive train with no management of fuel cell systems is helping realise hydrogen as a
mechanical transmissions and gears. It uses advanced credible alternative fuel source. Two of our most notable fuel cell
electronic subsystems instead of mechanical parts for projects are:
regenerative braking and other ancillaries to help save
weight and to increase efficiency. • LIFECar – to manufacture a lightweight, energy efficient,
• VIETA – Vehicle Independent Electric Transmission fuel cell hybrid electric sports vehicle, based on the Morgan
Architecture (VIETA) – based on a novel hybrid mechanically Aero 8. The power train is made up of a 26 kW fuel cell
linked electric in-wheel drive. The project involves electrical stack in parallel with a bank of ultra capacitors and four,
machine design, power electronics, control development, wheel-mounted, electrical machines. Part-funded by the
thermal management, packaging and integration. Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), LIFECar is a two
• EASIVT – the aim of the EASIVT (Electrically Assisted and half-year long project. The LIFECar partnership is made
Infinitely Variable Transmission) project is to investigate the up of the Morgan Motor Company, QinetiQ, Cranfield and
potential of a mild hybrid Ford Expedition equipped with Oxford University.
an IVT, in terms of improved driveability and reduced fuel • Hyrban – the design and construction of a demonstration
consumption. fuel cell hybrid vehicle, targeted primarily for urban
• ADDZEV – Affordable Add-on Zero Emissions Vehicle is applications. The vehicle employs an ambient pressure,
aimed at accelerating hybrid technology into the market. 6 kW fuel cell stack in parallel with ultra capacitors to
The ADDZEV project targets the light commercial legacy demonstrate sufficient performance and vehicle range to
fleet market for a low cost hybridisation option that will make this a viable option for urban transportation.
materially reduce the running costs for fleet managers. VRLA
technology and intelligent integration ensures low cost, in
addition to congestion charge penalty reduction.

3. Diesel is, currently and for the foreseeable future, a major fuel Human behaviour, routing and traffic
for passenger and commercial vehicle engines. Our research is
actively involved in looking at replacement or part replacement management
of diesel fuel with alternative fuels. Fuels that have been studied
include LPG, ethanol, bio-ethanol and hydrogen. In addition to the safety and environmental benefits that new
technology can bring to the automotive sector, there are
Our work in the waste and energy sectors is aiding the considerable gains to be made from focusing on the human
development of carbon neutral fuels from sustainable sources. factors related to driving. Cranfield University is a leader in
Cranfield’s research ranges from the production and clean applied research related to the impact of human factors in
utilisation of fossil fuels to turbine technology and the use of driving. The Driving Research Group addresses human factors
waste as fuel. and driving from the closely connected perspectives of driver risk
management and environmental impact.
For more information, please contact:
Professor Nick Vaughan, Head of Automotive Engineering The Group conducts research and consultancy for its clients
Department related to improving the safety and environmental impact of
E: n.d.vaughan@cranfield.ac.uk drivers. Current and previous projects include:
Mr John Oakey, Head of Energy Technology Centre • development of a risk assessment and simulator solution to
E: j.e.oakey@cranfield.ac.uk address safe and fuel efficient driving for Balfour Beatty PLC
• the construction of the UK’s first bus simulator with Arriva
PLC
Lightweight materials and manufacturing
• development of an online global Fleet Driver Safety Training
Utilising Cranfield’s expertise in the design, application and System for AstraZeneca
manufacture of lightweight materials Cranfield can develop • VREAM – is an innovative vehicle routing model that has
components optimized for minimum weight, a key factor in been developed by the Centre for Logistics and Supply
producing fuel efficient low emission vehicles. Chain Management. A computer based model that
calculates the amount of CO2 emitted from road journeys,
Our pioneering work with resin infusion techniques for carbon as well as the time and distance. VREAM will select the
fibre is just one area where our technology is enabling the cost most fuel efficient route by using roads on which a vehicle
effective manufacture of lightweight composites. can maintain the optimum speeds that minimise fuel
consumption.
Thermoplastics offer advantages in terms of weight and cost
when compared to conventional steel and aluminium alloys which For more information, please contact:
can be related to minimisation of carbon dioxide emissions and Mr Neil Godfrey, Human Factors
fuel consumption. These technologies have been applied to the E: n.godfrey@cranfield.ac.uk
test and development of next generation thermoplastic engine oil
sumps. Dr Andrew Palmer, Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain
Management
For more information please contact: E: a.palmer@cranfield.ac.uk
Professor Kambiz Kayvantash, Head of Centre for Automotive
Technology
E: k.kayvantash@cranfield.ac.uk

4. Postgraduate programmes Our partners
Cranfield’s postgraduate programmes are offered across our Cranfield works with major players in the automotive field. Our
areas of expertise and are created and delivered with valuable partners include:
input from practitioners in industry. Delegates have ample • ArvinMeritor
opportunities to investigate real-world challenges and to provide
• Aston Martin
innovative solutions, with a focus on the future needs of industry.
Our graduates are highly sought after and are part of an elite • BOC Group
international network of alumni. • Energy Saving Trust
• EPSRC
For more details please visit:
www.cranfield.ac.uk/students/courses • European Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium
• Jaguar
Continuing professional development • Land Rover
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• Millbrook Proving Ground
Cranfield University is recognised as a leading provider of
CPD and short courses. Courses are delivered by Cranfield • MIRA
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academics as well as industry experts to ensure up-to-the-minute • Morgan
commercially-focused outcomes. Cranfield-based, or bespoke
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• NICE
in-house courses, offer an invaluable way of keeping up-to-date
with the latest technological developments and management • Nissan
strategies. • Provector
• QinetiQ
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Our diverse short courses range from one day to six weeks in
duration. For full details please visit: www.cranfeld.ac.uk/short
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Cranfield University
Cranfield
Bedfordshire MK43 0AL
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1234 750111
www.cranfield.ac.uk/automotive