Mobility
Nissan Launches Research Project for Smarter EV Charging
Image: (c) Nissan
Nissan has launched a new research project called SUITE (Smart Use of Integrated Technology for EVs) to develop smart technologies for charging and operating electric vehicles. Backed by around £10 million in funding from the UK government, the project aims to utilize renewable energy more efficiently, lower charging costs, and ease the strain on the power grid. To achieve this, the initiative will leverage integrated solar panels, smart chargers, and artificial intelligence, among other innovations.
Nissan has launched a new research project called SUITE (Smart Use of Integrated Technology for EVs) to develop smart technologies for charging and operating electric vehicles. Backed by around £10 million in funding from the UK government, the project aims to utilize renewable energy more efficiently, lower charging costs, and ease the strain on the power grid. To achieve this, the initiative will leverage integrated solar panels, smart chargers, and artificial intelligence, among other innovations.
A Focus on Five Key Technologies
The three-year project is led by the Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield, UK, and is part of the UK's Drive35 funding program. Collaborating with ten partners across industry and academia, Nissan is developing an integrated, comprehensive system that ties several innovative technologies together.
At the core of the project are a highly efficient gallium-nitride-based traction inverter featuring AI-powered control, integrated tandem solar cells to top off the vehicle's battery, a smart charge management system to optimize energy flows, and a bidirectional automated charging unit for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications. All components are designed to be brought together into a unified system and prepped for eventual real-world use.
New Nissan Leaf Serves as Test Platform
The newly introduced all-electric Nissan Leaf will be used as the development vehicle. This production model will serve as a test platform for pioneering future energy and mobility solutions, helping to validate the new technologies under real-world conditions.
Industry and Academia Collaborate on New Energy Solutions
Alongside Nissan, numerous companies and research institutions are participating in the project. The cohort includes RAM Innovations, Weeteq, Oxford PV, Ricardo, as well as the Universities of Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford, and University College London. Together, they aim to engineer solutions that boost EV energy efficiency, improve the integration of renewable energy sources, and enhance the overall experience for customers.
With this project, Nissan aims to contribute to the development of next-generation integrated energy and mobility solutions. The primary focus remains on smart drivetrain technologies, AI-driven energy management, solar-assisted charging, and bidirectional charging systems that will pave the way for a more seamless integration between electric vehicles and the power grid.