A new sustainable electric city car developed by the TU/ecomotive student team can be repaired by users themselves. This means they are no longer dependent on the manufacturer for minor repairs. With their designs, the students from TU Eindhoven, Fontys and Summa say they want to inspire the automotive industry and challenge European policymakers.
ARIA should last longer and be both easier and cheaper to maintain thanks to its clever design. According to the students, the key lies in the construction of the vehicle, working with independent components. For instance, the battery, body panels and electrical components in the interior are separate parts.
Simplifying maintenance and repairs
The method simplifies maintaining and repairing the vehicle. Users are provided with clear manuals, standardised parts, a built-in toolbox and an app that reads the car.
ARIA is an electric vehicle (EV) equipped with a battery pack. A battery pack is generally relatively heavy. ARIA is therefore equipped with six modular batteries, which you can detach by hand. The batteries weigh about 12 kg each and can therefore be lifted relatively easily, making replacement easier. Together, the six batteries offer a capacity of 12.96 kWh.
Body panels replaced in minutes
ARIA's body panels are also easily replaceable. A panel can be unclipped and replaced within minutes, the researchers report. Also, unclipping the panel provides easy access to the components behind it.
ARIA from TU/ecomotive (image: Sarp Gürel)
The students' designs aim to improve the repairability of EVs. In doing so, they go against the grain, as many EVs are actually more difficult to repair than combustion engine vehicles. For instance, the battery pack is often stuck in the chassis. Also, parts are not standardised and therefore difficult for independent garages to obtain.
At the same time, there is a shortage of mechanics specialising in the electric drive and battery systems of EVs. This means repairs often take longer and are also relatively expensive.
European regulation
The students argue that because of these challenges, cars are being scrapped faster than they should be. "That undermines the sustainable image of the EV," says team manager Taco Olmer. With the new concept, TU/ecomotive also wants to respond to European legislation passed last year giving consumers the right to repair products faster, cheaper and easier.
Olmer: "The new European rules are a step forward, but mainly focus on household appliances and consumer electronics. EVs still fall outside the scope. With ARIA, we show what can be done and hope to encourage the EU to apply these rules to passenger cars as well. At the same time, we want to show the car industry that sustainable and practical design really is possible. If we can build this within a year, there are opportunities for the industry."
Right to Repair Europe coalition
TU/ecomotive is behind the Right to Repair Europe coalition. This is a network of more than 180 organisations from some 30 countries, ranging from environmental organisations to maintenance companies. The coalition is campaigning for better regulations to ensure that parts in EVs are repairable and replaceable. Olmer: "Right to Repair is about giving control back to the user. That is exactly what we are also doing."
