Chrysler Group has entered into a five-year C$18.2m ($17.40m) agreement with McMaster University to develop next-generation, electrified powertrains and powertrain components. The project will receive funding support from the Canadian government,
As part of this project, Chrysler will invest C$9.25m ($8.84m) in cash and in-kind contributions. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the lead agency within Automotive Partnership Canada (APC), will invest the remaining C$8.93m ($8.54m).
APC is an initiative that supports industry research at Canadian universities and government laboratories.
The project will be carried out in three phases, each building on the achievements of the previous one. The final phase is scheduled to conclude in March 2018.
The partnership builds on Chrysler Group's current electrification endeavours, such as the 2013 launch of the widely acclaimed Fiat 500e battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and the company's research into vehicle-to-grid technology.
This project will be carried out at McMaster University, and the researchers will also use Chrysler Group's laboratories and test vehicles.
Under this project, the researchers will explore six facets of vehicle electrification such as electrified powertrain architecture and optimization; power electronics; electric machines; motor control; energy management systems; and embedded software.
Component reliability, durability, weight, size and scalability will be primary considerations. Energy storage solutions such as ultra-capacitors also will be a key focus.
Chrysler Canada will employ more than 200 engineers at two assembly plants, a casting plant and the Chrysler Canada/University of Windsor Automotive Research and Development Centre in Windsor, Ontario.
McMaster President Patrick Deane said: "We are grateful for the investments of resources and trust from our partners, and we look forward to the creation of technological advances that will yield benefits for our community and for society at large."
