On the morning of December 27th 2024, the two parties, School of Automotive Engineering and Energy at Tongji University & Top Gear Powetrain Technology Co.,Ltd, officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement. This initiative marks a pivotal advancement in the integration of industry, academia, and research within the core domain of new energy commercial vehicle technologies. The partnership aims to jointly promote high-quality development in China’s commercial vehicle electrification sector.
Prestigious Academic Institution + Industry Leader, Chart a Sustainable Grand Vision for New Energy Innovation
At the signing ceremony, Professor Li Bing, Vice Dean of the School of Automotive Engineering and Energy at Tongji University, delivered the opening address. With a heritage spanning over a century, Tongji University has consistently upheld its mission of “Advancing with the Nation and Benefiting Society through Science and Education.” As a leading hub for research and talent development in new energy vehicles, the School has accumulated extensive expertise in key areas including automotive engineering, new energy power systems, and intelligent control, producing numerous influential academic outcomes.
Mr. Huang Gaocheng, General Manager of TPG, announced the initial research agenda for the joint university-enterprise laboratory that will focus on enhancing the efficiency, intelligence, platform-based design, and reliability of new energy commercial vehicle powertrains through cutting-edge collaborative research, thereby establishing a clear strategic direction for future development.
Leading Technological Innovation & Driving Green Transportation
Dr. Deng Yueyue, Chief Engineer at TPG, emphasized that this collaboration represents a foundational step toward deeper synergy between Tongji and TPG. He expressed the shared vision of leveraging combined institutional and industrial strengths to directly address critical industry challenges related to total cost of ownership (TCO), driving range, system reliability, and intelligent capabilities. The goal is to closely align advanced academic research with major industrial needs, building an innovative consortium that embodies deep integration across industry, academia, research, and application. This platform intends to lead technological progress and accelerate the transformation of research outcomes into practical applications, contributing significantly to the advancement of the industry.
The Joint Laboratory will capitalize on Tongji University’s strengths in fundamental theory, innovative algorithms, and experimental validation, while integrating extensive experience of Top Gear in engineering development, product iteration, and market deployment. Together, they aim to establish a seamless closed-loop innovation chain—from theoretical breakthroughs to real-world product implementation.