Press Release
Helmond, December 16, 2024 – Automotive Campus in Helmond served as a hub of innovation and sustainable energy solutions on Thursday, December 12, during the highly successful annual autoMEETive event. Organized by RAI Automotive Industry NL and Automotive Campus, with support from Holland High Tech, industry leaders, academic talent, and technology experts showcased the latest advancements in sustainable mobility.
A Milestone in Battery Testing Technology
The event commenced with the inauguration of VDL ETS's cutting-edge battery testing facility. Henri Koolen, Executive Vice President of VDL Groep, and the newly appointed Mayor of Helmond, Mr. Sjoerd Potters, led the opening ceremony. Glenn Haverkort, Managing Director of VDL ETS, remarked, “With the launch of this new facility, we are advancing the journey towards emission-free mobility. Automotive Campus provides invaluable access to a thriving ecosystem of companies and a pool of talent instrumental in shaping the industry's future.”
Innovative Demonstrations: A glimpse into the Future
Exclusive demo tours followed, offering participants firsthand insights into groundbreaking technologies from key players like TU/e’s InMotion student team, TNO, IM Efficiency, and VDL ETS. Each company highlighted their contributions to sustainability through technology integration.
IM Efficiency demonstrated their revolutionary SolarOnTop system, a solar energy solution for trailers featuring onboard panels, lithium batteries, and intelligent energy management. This innovation enables trucks and trailers to generate renewable energy directly from sunlight.
InMotion tackled electric mobility's charging speed challenge with their Electric Refueling technology. “Our proprietary battery cooling system has achieved a remarkable charging time of just 3 minutes and 56 seconds,” shared a team spokesperson. “We aim to inspire organizations and society to embrace the next generation of electric vehicles.”
Pieter Rahusen, Business Developer at Automotive Campus, emphasized the campus's pivotal role: "Automotive Campus is not just a place where businesses are based; it is an ecosystem where talent, knowledge, and innovation come together. This event shows that our region is leading the way in the energy transition, providing solutions to global mobility challenges."
Speakers Spotlight Innovation and Collaboration
Throughout the day, leading voices from the sector underscored the importance of innovation. Bert van Mil of DENS shared his vision at this event: “Our modular systems are designed for practical applications and deliver power where you need it,” noted van Mil. “The demand for battery modules as an alternative to combustion engines has grown larger than we expected.” As a pioneer in innovation, DENS introduced the new PH9 Power Trailer, along with Powerhub battery containers. These mobile energy solutions provide clean, reliable energy for construction, infrastructure, and grid stabilization. DENS’ grid hub systems also address critical energy challenges, such as peak shaving, backup power, and inadequate grid connections. By offering these comprehensive solutions, DENS helps companies reduce their ecological footprint and adapt to renewable energy systems.
At VDL Groep, the focus is on researching, developing, and testing new ideas in mobility, with a goal of achieving zero-emission transportation, such as battery or hydrogen vehicles. The company also focuses on energy transition, autonomous vehicles, and the development of sustainable hardware and software solutions for mobility and energy storage.
Today’s keynote speaker, Hans Bekkers, Director of Business Development at VDL Special Vehicles: "With over 300 million kilometers of experience in battery and hydrogen electric drivelines, VDL stands at the forefront of the zero-emission mobility revolution. Our extensive track record in both battery electric and hydrogen electric solutions underscores our commitment to sustainability and innovation. By offering a range of options, we ensure that our clients can choose the best solution for their specific applications, whether it be for buses, trucks or off-road, airport, and/or agricultural equipment."
We closed the afternoon with Summa Automotive Racing. Student Niels Teunissen van Manen showcased their accomplishments in sustainable mobility through their participation in a global hydrogen competition.Richard Hoogenboom, team leader at Summa Automotive, is of course very proud of Team42, the student team participating in the challenge: “Within Summa Automotive we prepare our students for the future of the Automotive industry. This means we have petrol heads & EV Fanatics! We teach about combustion engines, electric vehicles, and alternative fuels such as H2.”
A Call for Collective Action
Concluding the event, Bram Hendrix, Moderator of the day and Program Manager at RAI Automotive Industry NL, reflected on the day’s achievements: “The challenges ahead are immense, but the progress and partnerships showcased today reaffirm that we are on the right track. Together, we are making strides towards intelligent and sustainable mobility solutions.”
AutoMEETive once again underscored the Automotive Campus's role as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and ambition, reinforcing its position as a leader in the transition to a zero-emission society.
- End of Press Release –
Note for editors:
Pictured are Mr. Henri Koolen, Executive Vice President at VDL Groep (center) and Mayor Sjoerd Potters of Gemeente Helmond (second from the right); they are guided here by Glenn Haverkort, Managing Director of VDL ETS.
For additional information or images related to the participating organizations, please check the links above or contact Ike Wouda at i.wouda@automotivecampus.com.
