On 11 February, the SoH Fleet project was launched to help advance the management of electric bus batteries.
Led by ACTIA Automotive (France) in collaboration with CARNET (Spain), Keolis Blois (France), and TMB (Spain), the initiative is supported by EIT Urban Mobility, an innovation programme within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
By leveraging AI-driven technology, the project aims to enhance the understanding and optimisation of battery ageing using the State of Health (SoH) parameter.
The SoH Fleet project brings together key players in urban mobility and technological innovation to address the pressing challenge of battery lifespan and operational efficiency. Each partner plays a distinct role in developing and testing a scalable solution for electric bus fleets:
- ACTIA Automotive: A leader in IoT solutions for urban mobility, ACTIA is developing an AI-based system capable of accurately estimating SoH in real-time, offering a practical tool for fleet operators
- CARNET (Cooperative Automotive Research Network): Based in Barcelona, CARNET specialises in urban mobility innovation and will oversee the evaluation of pilot projects to ensure effectiveness and real-world applicability
- Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB): As the primary public transport operator in Barcelona, TMB will test the solution on a fleet of 10 electric buses operating in a high-density urban setting
- Keolis Blois: Managing the AZALYS network in Blois, Keolis will deploy the technology in a fleet of six electric buses in a medium-sized city, allowing for comparative insights across different operational environments
By integrating these expertise areas, SoH Fleet aims to develop an accessible and cost-efficient method for monitoring electric bus battery health, enabling proactive fleet management and enhanced sustainability.
The core objective of SoH Fleet is to improve the efficiency of electric public transport fleets by optimising battery usage and reducing maintenance costs.
The project anticipates achieving:
- A 20% reduction in vehicle maintenance costs, minimising operational expenses for transit agencies
- A 20% extension of battery lifespan, reducing the environmental impact associated with battery production and disposal
A key milestone for SoH Fleet is advancing its technological maturity from TRL7 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment) to TRL9 (actual system proven in operational environment). This transition means the project will move from a testing phase to full-scale industrial implementation, paving the way for widespread commercialisation.
Once fully developed, the SoH Fleet solution is expected to become an industry-standard tool for electric fleet operators, offering a practical and scalable means of enhancing battery longevity and efficiency.
