EU project ENLIGHTEN to explore higher voltage powertrains
Compared to the current 800-volt systems, the new drivetrain should offer higher performance, optimised costs and a more sustainable system architecture. At the same time, backwards compatibility with existing charging infrastructures with voltage levels of 500 or 1000 volts is to be guaranteed, according to the researchers. Furthermore, the project will incorporate a “dual-voltage battery system that can be dynamically adjusted while driving, fast and efficient (GaN) gallium nitride semiconductor-based DC/DC converters, an integrated motor-inverter powertrain to achieve superior power density and efficiency including an innovative E-drive inverter using a highly efficient multilevel GaN converter topology and an AC/DC capable on-board charger will also enable seamless compatibility with existing charging infrastructure.”
The timeline breaks down as follows: After officially launching the project in February, the R&D team will confirm the powertrain topology and finalize electrical and mechanical requirements by the end of 2025. For the following year 2026, the focus will move to powertrain provisioning, assembly, and testing. Finally, the last two years of the project will see the integration of the complete powertrain into a C-segment vehicle, followed by validation and final delivery.
With the “intelligent power management company” Eaton joining, the project has the necessary backing from industry to make the technology a reality. Currently, the ENLIGHTEN project “unites significant industry and academic expertise,” with nine project partners and two associate partners in the mix, including the Austrian Institute of Technology, which is leading the project, as well as Manifattura Automobili Torino, Lead Tech, Cambridge GaN Devices, Eaton. The consortium also includes leading research institutions IFP Energies Nouvelles, Aarhus University, Ingolstadt University, Politecnico di Torino alongside associate partners FPT Motorenforschung and ETH Zurich.
“As the automotive industry accelerates its pivotal shift to electrification, it’s essential to enhance powertrain efficiency,” explained Shane Malo, specialist engineer at Eaton Research Labs. “Our work on a 1200 volt powertrain will reduce energy losses and ensure higher power delivery for demanding applications. We’re also considering the wider impact on manufacturers, suppliers, and charging infrastructure to create a solution that’s both cost-effective and commercially viable. Ultimately, our efforts will enable more sustainable electric vehicles with longer range, faster charging times, and greater reliability.”
“Collaborating with so many leading partners offers fantastic learning opportunities for our team and acts as a force multiplier on our own R&D investments. As the transition to electric vehicles accelerates, this project will also position Eaton at the forefront of powertrain innovation and ensure we’re ready to meet future demands in the automotive industry,” added Joergen von Bodenhausen, senior manager of government programs at Eaton.
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