TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE INGOLSTADT

Their core work

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) is a German university of applied sciences based in Ingolstadt, Bavaria — the headquarters city of Audi — with a strong applied research focus on electric vehicle technologies. Their H2020 work centers on next-generation EV batteries (cobalt-free chemistries, modular and reusable battery packs) and intelligent transport safety systems. They bridge automotive engineering and sustainability, contributing battery management systems, predictive maintenance capabilities, and traffic safety simulation to European consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

THI's H2020 involvement is concentrated in a narrow 2020-2021 window, so dramatic evolution is limited. Their earliest project (COBRA, 2020) focused on fundamental battery chemistry — specifically cobalt-free, high energy density Li-ion cells. By 2021, with MARBEL, the focus shifted downstream toward manufacturing, assembly, modularity, and circular economy principles (reuse, recycled materials, ecodesign). This suggests a move from battery cell research toward practical, production-ready and sustainability-oriented EV battery systems.

THI is moving from battery materials research toward circular, production-ready EV battery systems — expect future work in battery second-life, recycling, and sustainable automotive manufacturing.

How they like to work

THI operates exclusively as a project participant, never as coordinator, which is typical for a mid-sized university of applied sciences building its EU research portfolio. With 48 unique partners across just 3 projects, they work in large consortia (averaging 16+ partners per project), indicating comfort in complex multi-partner environments. Their role suggests they contribute specialized technical expertise — likely in testing, simulation, and applied engineering — rather than driving project strategy.

THI has built a network of 48 unique partners across 12 countries through just 3 projects, giving them broad European reach concentrated in the automotive and battery value chain. Their Bavarian location in Ingolstadt places them at the heart of Germany's automotive industry ecosystem.

What sets them apart

THI's location in Ingolstadt — Germany's automotive heartland — gives them direct proximity to major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, making them a natural bridge between academic EV battery research and automotive industry application. As a university of applied sciences (Hochschule), their research is inherently practice-oriented rather than purely theoretical, which means results are closer to industrial implementation. For consortium builders, THI offers a combination of battery engineering, ecodesign, and automotive safety expertise that is hard to find in a single partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MARBEL
  Largest single grant (€1.09M) and most comprehensive scope — covers the full battery lifecycle from modular manufacturing with recycled materials to smart management and predictive maintenance.
• COBRA
  Addresses the critical raw materials challenge for EV batteries — cobalt-free chemistry is a strategic priority for European battery independence.
• SAFE-UP
  Shows breadth beyond batteries into intelligent transport safety, with traffic simulation and safety assessment capabilities relevant to autonomous driving.