Moto - Supply-chain Talent Accelerating Revolution (Moto-STAR)

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**Moto - Supply-chain Talent Accelerating Revolution (Moto-STAR)**\r
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This project brings together a strong partnership comprising:\r
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• UK-based motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield\r
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• Tier-1 PEMD-based automotive system supplier ZF Automotive UK Limited\r
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• World-leading supplier of simulation software for mechanical and electromechanical drivetrain analysis Romax\r
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• The Electrical Machines and Drives group at the University of Sheffield\r
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As part of the automotive electrification challenge and industrial strategy, the potential advantages of electric two-wheeled vehicles -- e-motorcycles and e-scooters -- are well documented: reduced noise, reduced emissions, reduced?weight,?versatility for congested city-centre transportation, etc.\r
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The UK e-motorbike supply chain this project addresses is an emerging one: despite the existence of actual products and concepts, many aspects still remain to be addressed in the emerging supply chain for e-motorbikes: technical issues such as range, charging time, choice of components and?materials (e.g. battery type), system integration options, etc.; high initial product cost; lack of automotive electrification infrastructure; and so on. But these issues also present an opportunity: the opportunity, in addressing them, of simultaneously addressing the wider?issues to do with future sustainability -- in all its aspects.\r
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Through this project, the partnership seeks to develop a demonstration e-motorbike concept, based around a vision of a future supply chain. Based on aligned design and manufacturing processes that fully embrace the wider issues which are at the heart of DER -- sustainability, improved quality of life, and the future circular economy, both in the UK and beyond: and doing this in a way that -- and doing this in a way that allows engineering students the opportunity to undertake their final year projects in parallel with the live development work ongoing within the partner companies -- which also begins to address the need for developing young, highly skilled PEMD specialists in the UK.\r
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[0]: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/application/77801