New lab in Skövde to boost electric vehicle development

A new laboratory at ASSAR Industrial Innovation Arena in Skövde will drive research and development for more energy-efficient and cost-effective electric vehicles. The lab is part of a collaborative project between the University of Skövde and several industrial companies, focusing on battery technology, power electronics, laser welding, and next-generation electric motors. ASSAR Power Electronics Labs is built to test and evaluate the electronics that control charging, propulsion, and energy management in electric vehicles. Researchers are investigating, among other things, how the systems use energy, manage heat, and communicate between different components. "We have created a flexible environment where research, education, and industry can meet and test future solutions together," says Stefan Ericson, Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering Science at the University of Skövde. The lab offers both advanced research opportunities and practical teaching, including a motor test bench, a soldering lab, and automated test environments, giving students and researchers experience with the same types of systems and tools used in the industry. Several Volvo companies and Horse Powertrain Limited are participating in the collaboration. The goal is to develop methods and expertise that strengthen the Swedish automotive industry in the transition to electric power, according to Ericson. "We have placed great emphasis on creating a lab that is safe, flexible, and educational. This allows us to use it in teaching, but also in advanced research and development together with the industry," says Stefan Ericson