Bringing innovative vehicle solutions to the road together
From supplier to co-creator: SMEs in the fast lane
Producing individual vehicles economically and sustainably in small series – this is no longer a pipe dream, but can become reality with EcoVity. The digital value creation platform is currently being developed as part of the IntWertL research project (intelligent value creation networks for low-volume lightweight vehicles) funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and is aimed specifically at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to be more than just suppliers in vehicle construction in the future. The project was recently presented at the Hannover Messe as a flagship project of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.
Main features of the EcoVity platform
EcoVity brings a new type of business model to the vehicle industry based on the principles of “bundling” and “unbundling”. What does this mean?
Bundling
SMEs come together via EcoVity to form temporary value creation networks. Materials, components and services can be procured jointly and used efficiently. Development resources are pooled to save time and costs.
Unbundling
The individual steps from the vehicle idea to small series production have a modular structure. SMEs can make a targeted contribution where their strengths lie – whether in development, design, production or as a technology provider.
Digital and decentralized
Integration into the Catena-X data space enables secure and standardized data exchange. The platform thus creates an open but structured ecosystem in which smaller players can also operate on an equal footing.
EcoVity: Rethinking vehicles together
EcoVity stands for innovative and sustainable vehicle solutions – particularly with regard to the growing potential of lightweight construction technologies in commercial vehicle construction. The digital platform combines development and production in a networked ecosystem and opens up new opportunities for SMEs to produce customized vehicles in small series in an efficient and resource-saving manner. EcoVity thus not only makes specialized mobility solutions economically accessible, but also strengthens the innovative power and competitiveness of small suppliers in vehicle construction.
Presentation at Hannover Messe 2025
Convincing practice – especially in the SME sector
At the joint stand of the Industry 4.0 platform, an initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, the project team showed exactly how this can be achieved. Visitors to the trade fair were able to get an idea of how the EcoVity platform works – for example with the Cargo Box, a lightweight attachment that turns a passenger vehicle into a delivery vehicle in no time at all and serves as a tangible example of how digital planning meets real production processes.
Demonstration of the EcoVity platform
Touching instead of just looking:
The Cargo Box made cooperation tangible –
in the truest sense of the word.
It was created as a prototype using the newly developed platform.
Key note: Intelligent value creation networks
The accompanying presentation on the EcoVity platform resulting from the project rounded off the program at the trade fair stand and once again underlined how well thought-out the approach is. The conclusion of those involved: there is a need for practical, digitally supported cooperation models – especially among SMEs.
Interactive software tests
Getting to know the platform: the first software prototypes were tested live. The software is a central element of the EcoVity platform for the development and processing of small series production.
Cargo-Box Presentation
Touching instead of just looking: The Cargo Box made cooperation tangible – in the truest sense of the word. It was created as a prototype using the newly developed platform.
About the Project EcoVity
The IntWertL project (intelligent value creation networks for low-volume lightweight vehicles) focuses on the idea of using a digital platform to organize cooperation between different companies along the supply chain in such a way that niche vehicles can also be produced economically and sustainably in small quantities. What is particularly important here is that the platform should make it easier for SMEs to access complex value creation networks – without high barriers to entry or dependence on large corporations. This platform is currently being developed and tested under the name EcoVity as part of the research project. The final concept should be ready by early 2026. The project is coordinated by bwcon research gGmbH, supported by TÜV Rheinland and combines the expertise of 22 funding partners.
Contact for the public
bwcon GmbH
Frau Lisa Rothfuß
Seyfferstr. 34
70197 Stuttgart
Contact for those interested in the project:
bwcon research gGmbH
Frau Isabell Wellmann
Seyfferstr. 34
70197 Stuttgart
Become part of the EcoVity platform now!
Take the opportunity to become part of the innovative EcoVity platform and actively shape the future of vehicle manufacturing. Contact EcoVity to find out more about the opportunities and benefits developed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises.
