Located in France, in the Lyon region, the GREENMOT test center operates since 2010. As an international design office and vehicle test center, it supports its customers in the development and energy transformation of tomorrow’s vehicles: cars, trucks, buses, construction or military vehicles, tractors and more.
Thanks to this expertise and as a major player in innovation, GREENMOT has developed its own retrofit kits to convert heavy-duty internal combustion vehicles into zero-emission electric vehicles now.
Interview with Alix NOUHAUD, Communication Officer at GREENMOT.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Alix NOUHAUD: The main areas of activity of GREENMOT are testing, engineering, and retrofit. The company specializes in providing solutions for sustainable mobility, with a focus on energy transition. The 3 activities work in synergy:
The TESTING division carries out tests on the basis of customer specifications, on all kind of energies: gas, diesel, electricity, hydrogen.
The ENGINEERING division designs, assembles, and installs climatic cells and test benches at customers’ sites, organizes the transfer of technology, designs and manufactures specific products.
The RETROFIT department is in charge of developing vehicle retrofit kits for industrial vehicles.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
A.N: GREENMOT has recently developed a new solution for retrofitting school buses, on the basis of the IVECO CROSSWAY EURO model. The buses are designed to be zero emission and converted by locally-based businesses. This is great news for the energy transition as it will help to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and offers a second-life to already used vehicles.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
A.N: The retrofit market is at the early stages of adoption. The official regulations in France only date from March 2020. We note, however, that the French government is understanding the importance of these type of solutions by now offering a financial aid for transport operators, through a public tender.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
A.N: 2 points. First of all, market trends show that there is a growing demand for retrofit solutions and sustainable transportation solutions. As more people become aware of the environmental impact of traditional transportation, they are looking for alternatives that are more eco-friendly.
But this trend does not come from nowhere: Europe paved the way with its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach climate neutrality by 2050.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
A.N: Some of our retrofit kits for existing vehicles, of course.
But as well, our customizable test cells, thanks to our engineering services. It helps to drive innovation in the vehicle industry by providing cutting-edge design and development solutions for test centers.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
A.N: We will keep on growing our vehicle conversions of course; and we also have few contracts to be confirmed for the delivery of vehicle test cells. Let’s keep finger crossed!