a model city for electrical mobility.

Over the next 2 years, with the support of partners of the ‘ruhrmobil-E’ network, a brand new, independently developed van is set to be developed here that is electrically powered. Its working name: ‘Bomobil.’

Today, state premier Jürgen Rüttgers announced his decision to support the five million Euros project with funds from the NRW state ‘Elektromobil.NRW’ competition. “The state government wants this to be the first pilot region in Europe,” says Rüttgers. “The forward looking concept from ruhrmobil-E is more than worthy of this award.” Since the project relates to a new development and not the conversion of the existing body-platforms of internal combustion engine vehicles, the flexibility of design exists for the complete reinvention of the design.

At the same time, the vehicle is to be constructed in a particularly cost-effective way, predominantly integrating industry-proven standard components into the independent construction. The finished vehicle is to be able to transport two people and a load of up to 500 kilos with zero emissions and have a total range of 150 kilometres.

New perspectives at the location of Bochum

At the location of Bochum, new perspectives are developing for developers, vehicle builders and designers – high quality jobs which have recently been all too rare in the region of North Rhine Westphalia.

With the ideas that are being developed at the ruhrmobil-E network, it will be possible for Bochum to develop into a new centre for mobility innovations. The goal is to create a centre for innovative developers in Bochum. Together with the Mayor of Bochum Ottilie Scholz, the state premier also wants to keep the production at the current location: “We’re still waiting for a big company like Opel to tell us that they want the Bochum site to be the location for their electric car,” explains Rüttgers.

The project participants

The University of Bochum is at the centre of the ‘BOmobil’ project. Due to its more than 10 years of experience in the area of electro-mobility, this is home to the coordination as well as the system-responsibility for the complete vehicle. Several generations of prize-awarded solar cars have already been developed here.
The international company Delphi is responsible for the development of the high voltage distribution system, the 12V electronics and the energy management. The particularly efficient energy storage system is being provided by specialist Hoppecke.

Hoppecke is the biggest manufacturer of energy storage systems in Europe. The Neuhäuser group of companies is supplying the hub-wheel motors. It is a specialist for wind power energy systems, magnet and materials handling technology, and the development of manufacturing technology for smooth running. The power electronics for the control of the electro motors are being contributed by Scienlab, a manufacturer of automobile control units. Opel is supporting the project by donating standard components from its large scale production among others. Specialist company Composite Impulse, who also works in Formula 1, is developing and manufacturing the components for the lightweight frame.

About the ruhrmobil-E regional network

ruhrmobil-E has set itself a goal: for Bochum to be a model city for electro-mobility. In the future, electric vehicles are set to be developed, constructed and used in Bochum. Electro-mobility is a step towards environmentally friendly transport in the city and can now be realised. ruhrmobil-E wants to tell you all about this and provide you with the opportunity to drive an electro car yourself. ruhrmobil-E is not-for-profit and is on the brink of founding a new association and attracting new members.

So far, ruhrmobil-E has carried out several campaigns in Bochum to present the public, the business world and the world of politics with the chances and opportunities for Bochum offered by the area of electro mobility. In just a few months, the ruhrmobil-E network has been able to make a name for itself amongst the leading actors throughout Germany, and is well networked in several organisations, associations and authorities throughout the state of North Rhine Westphalia.