Multi-million investment jump-starts ambitious Dutch mobility program

--- press release prepared by RAI AINL and Brainport development ---

Two large consortia of Dutch companies and knowledge institutes in the mobility and transport sector will receive 47 million euros in government funding to realize breakthroughs in electrification and hydrogen applications in automotive, maritime and air transport . That is what t he Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate announced on November 29th . By working together, the parties involved want to make the Netherlands a frontrunner in green and clean mobility. Together they contribute over 26 million euros .

Many public and private companies and institutes work together under the umbrella of Smart- and Green Transport Delta across the automotive, maritime and aviation sector. With our HTSM Automotive Roadmap as lead, 2 major programs for developing solutions for electrification and hydrogen applications have been approved with 47 million Euros in government funding.

The Hydrogen consortium partners, DAF Trucks NV, Prins/Westport Fuel Systems, Koedood dieselservice, Mitsubishi Turbocharger and Engine Europe, NPS Diesel, DENS, Bosal, Ginaf, VDL, Vialle Autogas Systems, Circonica Circular Energy, DLS, Brinkhorst, Krohne, Hobré, Resato, VSL, TNO, Eindhoven University of Technology and University of Groningen, will work together developing technology and solutions for the Hydrogen Combustion Engine (H2-ICE), Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology (FCEV) as well as the next-generation hydrogen refuelling infrastructure technology .

With respect to Electrification VDL Nedcar, Airborne International, Albert Heijn, Atlas Technologies, Battery Safety Solutions, CarePack Holland, Circular Industries, DAF trucks, Eflight Academy, ELEO Technologies, EST Floattech, Heliox automotive, IM Efficiency Technologies, INND Batteries, LionVolt, TNO, NPS Diesel, NXP semiconductors, Scholt Energy, Steinbuch In Motion, Stichting DEAC, Stichting ElaadNL, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Universiteit Maastricht, Van Kessel Olie, VDL ETS, VDL Staalservice en VDL Steelweld work together to develop a local development and production for innovative battery modules and battery management systems for the future, EV charging infrastructure and processes for safe storage and recycling of batteries in order to retrieve raw materials support the need for a circular vehicle industry.

Innovation projects part of long-term ambition

Both innovation projects are part of a long-term ambition to strengthen the mobility sector. In July 2020, RAI Automotive Industry NL, the Province of Noord-Brabant, the Municipality of Helmond, TNO, the Automotive Campus, BOM, Eindhoven University of Technology and Brainport Development signed an agreement in which they underlined the joint ambition. In the program , the strong automotive sector in the province of North- Brabant is programmatically connected with national partners. In terms of content, the national Automotive roadmap of the High Tech Systems and Materials top sector serves as a guideline for the next ten years. This sets out the ambitions for sustainability and greater safety in the Dutch automotive industry.  

By joining forces programmatically, public and private partners are able to continuously take new follow-up steps to implement this roadmap. RAI Automotive Industry NL and Brainport Development are responsible for the multi-year program management, for which these R&D projects on electrification and hydrogen are also a building block.  

Important support in the transition to wards sustainable mobility

Albie van Buel, managing director of RAI Automotive Industry NL, is proud that the efforts of all parties have been rewarded. “As an organization, we have focused on a substantial R&D support package for the Automotive sector since the start of the Corona pandemic. It is great to see that these projects now receive the important support to enable further technological developments that make the necessary transition to wards sustainable mobility possible .”

Full speed ahead

Director of Brainport Development , Paul van Nunen , is pleased that the subsidies are granted by the Ministry . “The collaborating parties have great ambitions . The Netherlands wants to continue to play a leading role in the global transition to wards a sustainable mobility system. By joining forces, we can make the Netherlands a frontrunner in green, smart mobility. The allocation of funding to these parts of the program is a great boost. We will continue with a lot of energy.”

For more information, please contact:

RAI Automotive Industry NL
Albie van Buel, managing director
a.v.buel raivereniging.nl
06-29810398

Brainport Development
Daniëlla van Laarhoven
Communicatie-adviseur Brainport Development
d.vanlaarhoven brainportdevelopment.nl
06-21272946