Institute of Powertrains and Automotive Technology

The Institute of Powertrains and Automotive Technology is organizationally integrated into the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Management Sciences of the Vienna University of Technology. The Institute has established itself as a Scientific Center for research and development of alternative powertrains and fuels. The Institute's equipment enables research and teaching at the highest level. In addition to modern engine test beds, which enable exhaust measurements at the EURO 7 level, a 4-wheel chassis dyno, fuel cell test benches, a battery simulator, and an inverter test bed are available for a wide range of research and development activities.

The range of services includes research and development on the complete vehicle with a focus on the powertrain. Intensive contacts to industry, partner universities, ministries, associations, and research unions allow, on the one hand, basic research close to industry, and on the other hand, a university education at the highest level. For this purpose, there are approximately 50 employees available, of which half represent scientists and the other half specialized staff. 

The Institute’s fields of activity are the development of innovative exhaust gas aftertreatment for Euro 7 and following, as well as the combustion of alternative fuels on biogenic and especially sustainable synthetic basis. For many years, the research and development activities have been comprising alternative propulsion concepts. In the meantime, fuel cells and associated hydrogen tank systems, battery-electric vehicles, and power electronics have become essential focus areas. Research projects on thermal management and material degradation in electrochemical components were successfully carried out.

Trend analyses and emission forecasts, including extended life-cycle assessments (LCA), are also conducted on a broad scale. In addition, the economic aspects of the vehicle-specific value chain are covered through studies on potential assessments and technology evaluations.