L category vehicles should answer the demands for less energy consumption and affordability and represent an attractive solution in congested cities with scarce parking space. WEEVIL aims to develop a new L category 3-wheeler that is quiet, clean, energy efficient and safe, as well as attractive to the public so that the barriers for adopting it are minimized. The new vehicle concept is an ultralight and ultrasafe adaptable 3-wheeler, with a composite structure using new manufacturing processes for an affordable introduction of these materials in new vehicles. Modularity of elements (including battery packs), system integration and innovative vehicle architecture is considered in the vehicle design. The vehicle has a wheel width varying mechanism in order to allow adaptation to different speeds (wider at high speeds for stability, narrower at low speeds for space optimization and parking). WEEVIL will provide a new electric vehicle concept with innovative design to allow the user to adapt the vehicle to higher speeds or lower speeds and/or parking. Its characteristics will be lightness and safety, with a strong use of composite materials through new and affordable processing methods. A new drive-train with improved energy efficiency will be incorporated, as well as new solutions on system integration such as modular battery packs. WEEVIL solution will break the barriers for extended EV adoption in urban areas, i.e. vehicle capabilities and cost trade-off. A car-like comfort and driving experience in a reduced space (2-3 wheeler vehicle) is pursued. By providing a feasible concept adapted to the users’ expectations, the European EV car pool would be significantly enlarged, providing the pursued benefits on air quality, noise and environmental protection and also bringing traffic congestion reductions and a potential dominance of the European industry in this market.

The overall aim of ELIPTIC is to develop new use concepts and business cases to optimise existing electric infrastructure and rolling stock, saving both money and energy. ELIPTIC will advocate electric public transport sector at the political level and help develop political support for the electrification of public transport across Europe. ELIPTIC looks at three thematic pillars: • Safe integration of ebuses into existing electric PT infrastructure through (re)charging ebuses “en route”, upgrading trolleybus networks with battery buses or trolleyhybrids and automatic wiring/de-wiring technology • upgrading and/or regenerating electric public transport systems (flywheel, reversible substations) • Multi-purpose use of electric public transport infrastructure: safe (re)charging of non-public transport vehicles (pedelecs, electric cars/ taxis, utility trucks) With a strong focus on end users, ELIPTIC will analyse 23 use cases within the three thematic pillars. The project will support uptake and exploitation of results by developing guidelines and tools for implementation schemes for upgrading and/or regenerating electric public transport systems. Option generator and decision-making support tools, strategies and policy recommendations will be created to foster Europe-wide take up and rollout of various development schemes. Partners and other cities will benefit from ELIPTIC's stakeholder and user forum approach. ELIPTIC addresses the challenge of “transforming the use of conventionally fuelled vehicles in urban areas” by focusing on increasing the capacity of electric public transport, reducing the need for individual travel in urban areas and by expanding electric intermodal options (e.g. linking e-cars charging to tram infrastructure) for long-distance commuters. The project will strengthen the role of electric public transport, leading to both a significant reduction in fossil fuel consumption and to an improvement in air quality through reduced local emissions.