About the project

The European Commission aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Transportation, responsible for one-third of energy-related CO₂ emissions, is undergoing a profound transition toward electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy integration. Ultra-fast charging (UFC) technology – enabling 20 % to 80 % battery recharge in under 10 minutes at power levels of 350 kW and above for light-duty vehicles and up to megawatt-scale for heavy-duty trucks – is critical to replicating conventional refueling convenience and accelerating EV adoption.

The aim of TRAIN-FAST is to train the next generation of leading scientists and engineers capable of advancing UFC systems within the broader electric-mobility present and future landscape, including electric cars and trucks, with focus on relevant Lithium-ion battery chemistries, specifically Lithium Iron Phosphate and the family of Nickel Manganese Cobalt materials.

The programme adopts a strongly interdisciplinary approach, combining advanced engineering, data science, techno-economics, and socio-behavioural research to ensure that DCs can address the complex, cross-sector challenges of UFC deployment.

TRAIN-FAST provides first-of-its-kind excellent training for 15 doctoral candidates (DCs) within the following fields:

  • Innovative technological solutions related to thermal management, power systems and batteries.
  • Cutting edge multi-disciplinary training in all fields related to the UFC application, including advanced numerical methods, experimental methods, multi-objective optimization, and AI.
  • Novel techno-economic optimization strategies for UFC infrastructure and policy roadmapping.
  • Socio-economic research, including consumer behaviour, market adoption, and regulatory frameworks.
  • High-level training in transferable skills, such as research and data management, scientific integrity and ethics, intellectual property rights (IPR) and entrepreneurship, communication tools, career planning and grant writing.
The project runs from 01/02/2027 to 31/01/2031.

Beneficiaries

  • Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
  • Uppsala Universitet, Sweden
  • Politecnico di Torino, Italy
  • Technische Universitat Dortmund, Germany
  • Cardiff University, United Kingdom
  • Siemens Industry Software NV, Belgium
  • IPFT Fuels Limited, United Kingdom

Associated partners

  • Siemens Industry Software SRL, Romania
  • Traton AB, Sweden
  • Volvo Personvagnar AB, Sweden
  • FIB SPA, Italy
  • BeonD, Italy
  • EVTEC GmbH, Germany
  • ef.Ruhr GmbH, Germany
  • Spirii ApS, Denmark
  • South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee, United Kingdom