At the RTR Conference 2026, the FASTEST project was presented for the first time to the road-transport research community. Project coordinator Bruno Rodrigues introduced the initiative in a session dedicated to next-generation battery technologies, explaining that one of the main barriers to electrification is not only battery performance but how long it takes to verify that batteries are safe and reliable. Current qualification procedures rely on years of laboratory aging and safety tests, which slows innovation and delay new battery solutions reaching vehicles.
His presentation described how FASTEST proposes a different pathway: combining selected physical experiments with advanced modelling to build digital representations of batteries. By using real measurements to validate predictive models, engineers can estimate lifetime, detect potential safety issues and evaluate full battery packs before they are installed in a vehicle. This approach aims to shorten certification timelines, reduce costly testing campaigns and make it easier for industry to introduce improved batteries, ultimately contributing to safer electric vehicles and faster deployment of clean mobility technologies.
Watch the full presentation here: https://youtu.be/QW4FnlQ1F3g?si=fFfzcGdhL8hIPet2&t=2043