Road traffic has long been recognised as a major source of air pollution due to emissions of a range of gaseous pollutants, most notably carbon monoxide. However, road transport is also a damaging source of 'non-exhaust emissions' (NEE) particles, which are produced from frictional processes associated with vehicle usage: predominantly from brakes. In contrast to exhaust emissions, which are projected to be significantly reduced with the advent of Electric Vehicles (EVs), NEE arise regardless of the type of vehicle and its mode of power, and contribute to the total ambient particulate matter burden associated with human ill-heath and premature mortality. Brake dust, emitted during vehicle braking, produces significant amounts of PM10 and PM2.5, i.e. atmospheric particulate matter of diameter less than 10um and 2.5um. Owing to their small size - roughly 5 to 10 times thinner than a human hair - PM2.5 emissions are capable of passing through the human respiratory system and into the lungs. A number of health conditions are linked to their presence, including respiratory illnesses and reduced immunity. ECOBrakeDisc will address this issue, introducing novelties across the entire brake disc manufacturing supply chain and capitalising on the significant market opportunity. Recent developments in Extreme High-speed Laser Application, a coating technique invented merely three years ago, will introduce a step change in the efficiency and performance of brake disc coatings. Our developments will help the automotive industry in its objective to evolve new brake disc solutions, generating a coating that has a long life, improved surface tribology and interaction with the brake pad, and reduce or eliminate the presence of carcinogenic particles by reducing wear and removing copper, nickel, chromium and cobalt elements. ECOBrakeDisc will drive the development of 4 key new products i) novel powders without harmful elements, ii) methodologies for optimising the EHLA process, iii) route-to-market industrialisation of coated discs using EHLA and iv) new prototype brake discs for validating ECOBrakeDisc approach The solution is the product of a strategic alliance between Meritor, a leading Tier-1 automotive brakes supplier and global lead in commercial vehicles \>6 tons, ASCO who specialise in precision machining and coating technologies including HVOF, plasma spray and EHLA, and Wall Colmonoy, a world-class coating alloy producer with over 80 years of experience. TWI, who have jointly pioneered significant advancements in EHLA technology, compliment the industrial partners.

Project EPIC is an industrial manufacturing project developing a next-generation integrated electric powertrain (IEPT) for commercial vehicles up to 44 tonne GVW. The consortium comprises Meritor, Danfoss, and Electra. Meritor leads in global axle and drive system engineering, Danfoss develops advanced electric motors, and Electra specialises in electric vehicle integration. The IEPT product will consist of a single motor with an integrated SiC inverter, integral multispeed gearbox and differential, and foundation brakes optimised for regenerative braking. The powertrain will typically suit 4x2 or 6x2 commercial vehicle configurations but other configurations including off-highway, construction and vocational vehicles are also supported. Drive systems exist today with remote mount motors but still rely on drivelines and traditional axles. Existing eAxles rely on two motors to achieve the required torque and power, which adds cost and complexity. The EPIC solution eliminates the driveline and need for multiple motors. Shorter wheelbase EU trucks are especially unable to utilise the area between the frame rails due to the driveline presence, which limits battery storage thereby limiting the vehicle range. With this novel powertrain, the space becomes accessible. The powertrain will share the same chassis mounting as existing axles allowing for easy vehicle application, while its fully integrated nature offers further benefits over remote mount solution including: * Increased storage for batteries and/or hydrogen between frame rails * Approximately 363 kg weight savings * Smaller packaging envelope * High modularity for wide application coverage * Increased range and/or payload * Greater overall efficiency We project to eliminating 4.2 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2025\. The high efficiency, and reduced weight and space of the powertrain will improve range and/or payload and therefore potentially improving CO2 reduction in a highly criticised sector. The extensive benefits of this new powertrain will equally provide accelerated adoption of battery-electric, fuel cell, and range-extended hybrid commercial vehicles. To deliver the project, Meritor will create a Centre of Excellence in Cwmbran with expanded testing facilities and R&D team. Danfoss will develop and assemble motors with integrated inverters at a Low- Carbon Innovation Centre near Edinburgh. Electra will assemble vehicles with plans to complete durability and field running at U.K. test tracks and on public roads. The vehicles will also be used to demonstrate the technology to major global vehicle manufacturers, fleets, and other potential end users. The total U.K. project expenditure of £82m is projected to create 189 jobs in the U.K. while safeguarding approximately 500\.

PARETA is a technical and commercial feasibility project, investigating a UK manufactured high efficiency, modular electric drive system for City Bus and Delivery Truck applications with Meritor and Deregallera as key partners in the consortium - Meritor, a global leader in heavy commercial vehicle drivetrain systems and Deregallera, an SME with novel electric motor and power electronics that exceed current state of the art. Existing electric drive systems for City Bus and Delivery Trucks run with many low speed, high torque applications caused through continuous stop/start events leading to poor efficiency. This in turn leads to a challenge in providing sufficient battery capacity for the required driving range without negatively impacting the passenger or freight capacity. PARETA addresses this with a compact, cost-effective e-drive that enables up to 30% more range from the same battery, with high efficiency across the entire drive cycle. Project deliverables include: \* A technical feasibility study (design/prototyping/testing) of Deregallera's e-drive technology integrated into a drive systems, optimised for City Bus/Delivery Truck applications. \* A manufacturing and commercial feasibility study for a volume manufacturing facility in South Wales, including capital investment and UK supply chains. \* Strategic development plan with defined routes to market.