VW to continue research cooperation with University of Tennessee

The Volkswagen Group has extended its research partnership with the University of Tennessee at the Volkswagen Innovation Hub in Knoxville until 2028. The project, which focuses primarily on eMobility innovations, has been in place since 2018.

The agreement is between Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). Two years after the initial agreement was signed, the Volkswagen Innovation Hub opened in Knoxville in January 2020. The researchers working there are officially employees of VWGoA, but also use their time to supervise doctoral students at UTK.

In the past five years, the collaboration has yielded 27 active research projects, 15 publications and several pending patents. Among other things, work is reportedly underway to increase the range of electric vehicles and further develop inductive charging.

“Partnering with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville for research has accelerated Volkswagen Group’s ability to bring practical innovations to our products,” said Chuhee Lee, vice president of mobility design and technology at Volkswagen Group Innovation Center California. “With this extension, we’ll be able to continue this invaluable research and bring more materials and power electronics solutions for more sustainable mobility. UTK has been an invaluable partner, bringing incredible research talent with an interest in the automotive industry and sustainability.”

vw.com