November 21-23, 2025, Ningbo, China
We are pleased to invite industry and academic experts to attend the 2025 International Conference on Advanced Vehicle Powertrains (ICAVP2025), to be held at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China, November 21-23, 2025.
ICAVP2025 is aiming to bring together industry and academic experts in the fields of vehicle powertrains and automation as well as adjacent subjects. The format will be both in person and virtual (i.e., online). The conference is jointly organized by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Beihang University’s Ningbo Institute of Technology.
The University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Call for Papers
The 2025 International Conference on Advanced Vehicle Powertrains (ICAVP2025) will open up presentations and discussions on the solutions to both latest and future challenges among the development of the following frontiers, but not limited to:
Structure and function of Powertrains
• Advanced engines/transmissions /drivelines
• Key components of the powertrain
• Energy management of multi configuration powertrain
• Engine fuels, combustion, and emissions
• Innovative materials
• Innovative lubrication
Digitalization and Intelligence of Powertrains
• Modeling and simulation for powertrains
• Powertrain integration/ control/ optimization/diagnosis
• Automobile intelligence and automatic driving controls
• Digital twin technology
• Big data applications
• Digital operation and maintenance
Renewable Powertrains
• Lightweight design
• Alternative low carbon fuels
• Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)
• Methanol Power
• Ethanol Power
• Ammonia Power
Zero-emission Motive Powers
• Power battery and BMS
• Proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
• Catalysts for fuel cells
• Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)
• BOPs for PEMFC
• Hydrogen safety technology
ICAVP2025 invites full papers describing original and yet unpublished work. All papers must include title, complete contact information for all authors, abstract, and keywords on the cover page: research papers reporting on new development of powertrains for conventional, hybrid and electric vehicles, while industry and development papers reporting on actual developments of technology, products, systems and solutions. In addition, ICAVP2025 will invite keynotes, organize workshop and panels. Best papers will be selected for award.
Abstract and Paper Submission
All papers must be submitted in PDF format using the ICAVP2025 paper template (download here). Please submit your abstracts and completed papers using the “Abstract/Paper Submission and Payment” portal. (For assistance, contact ICAVP2025@nottingham.edu.cn)
Direct your questions to Conference Chair, Prof. Christos Spitas (christos.spitas@nottingham.edu.cn) or Program Chair, Dr. Dunant Halim (dunant.halim@nottingham.edu.cn) for inquiries. All quality papers will be recommended to International Journal of Powertrains (IJPT) for further publishing (Extended versions of conference papers will be invited for review and potential publication). For payment-related inquiries, including requests for Chinese Fapiao or English invoices, please contact us at ICAVP2025@nottingham.edu.cn.
Registration
Please complete your registration through the “Registration” portal (For assistance, contact ICAVP2025@nottingham.edu.cn).
Keynote Speakers
Prof. John Zhou
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Title: Green Automotive Mobility: Vehicle Emissions Control in the Age of EV
Abstract: Vehicle emissions remain as the key source of air pollution in urban environment globally, which have caused significant adverse human health effects such as lung cancers and premature deaths. As vehicle emissions are mobile, and catching high-emitting vehicles on the spot has been the challenge of ensuring effective urban air pollution control. In this talk, I will introduce the major methods for the real-world measurement of vehicle emissions, including their advantages and disadvantages. Then I will present our recent research in developing a detection method based on remote sensing for the rapid measurement of real-driving vehicle emissions on the road. Through laboratory calibration, static and dynamic loading testing, to real world application, the remote sensing method has been developed as a tool for the legislative control of vehicle emissions in Hong Kong, which is the world’s first such full-scale application. The work involved vehicles powered by different fuels, including diesel, petrol, natural gas and hybrid. As a result of this innovative tool, remote sensing approach has helped to reduce the percentage of high-emitting vehicles, fleet average emissions, roadside and ambient pollutant concentrations, hence ensuring better air quality in Hong Kong.
Biography: Professor Zhou majors in Environmental Engineering, with a PhD degree from the University of Manchester, UK. He currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Prior to joining UNNC, he held various leadership positions.
Professor Zhou is a highly regarded scholar in conducting multidisciplinary research in environmental and energy engineering. In vehicle research, he has extensive experience in using remote sensing technology for the rapid detection of vehicle emissions from tailpipes. He has direct experience in the calibration, installation and on-road testing of remote sensing devices; and more importantly, in the application of remote sensing for legislative vehicle emissions control in Hong Kong, which is the first such application worldwide. He has obtained research grants from different organisations worldwide, and successfully supervised 40 PhD graduates. As a leading researcher, Prof Zhou has published 380 papers in renowned international journals, with > 27,000 citations and H-index of 94 in Scopus. Professor Zhou’s significant contributions to these areas have earned him national recognition as a top-tier academic and inclusion in the highly prestigious Clarivate “Highly-Cited Researchers”, and ScholarGPS “Top 0.05% Scholars Worldwide”.
Professor Zhou is a college/panel member for many funding organisations, including the European Framework Programmes and Horizon 2020, the UK Natural Environment Research Council, the Luxembourg National Research Fund, and National Key Research Program of China.
Prof. Giampaolo Buticchi
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Title: Intelligent Electronics for Reliable Green Transportation
Abstract: This talk explores intelligent electronics for enhancing the reliability and sustainability of green transportation systems. Focusing on power electronics and drives, the discussion begins with reliability engineering, covering failure probability distributions, lifetime requirements, and key research areas. Advanced methodologies such as device lifetime modeling, junction temperature measurements, electro-thermal modeling, Physics-of-Failure based design, and Monte Carlo analysis are examined.
Active thermal control strategies are presented as a means to improve reliability by increasing overload capability, reducing thermal cycles, and balancing thermal stress. Historical developments and modern techniques, such as region-based control and switching frequency manipulation, are discussed. Additionally, cosmic ray failure mitigation and adaptive control for solar events highlight emerging challenges in power electronics.
Finally, the talk concludes with future research opportunities, reinforcing the role of intelligent electronics in advancing reliable and efficient green transportation.
Biography: Giampaolo Buticchi is currently the Head of the Power Electronics, Machine and Control (PEMC) Research Centre at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. His research focuses on power electronics for renewable energy system and green transportations. He is author/co-author of more than 360 scientific papers; he is an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics and the IEEE Open Journal of the Industrial Electronics Society.
Dr. Buticchi is involved in the major international societies (IEEE, IET, RAeS), he has been organizing tutorials and special session in the relevant conferences and journals related to Power Electronics. He is a recipient of the IEEE-IES David Irwin Early Career Award, three IEEE Best paper awards and two conference best paper awards.
Prof. Xiangyang Xu
Beihang University
Biography: Prof. Xiangyang Xu, PhD，Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Vehicle Engineering from Beijing Institute of Technology in 1987 and 1990, PhD in Mechatronic Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in 1999. Worked at the School of Automotive Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology from 1990 to 2002, and as a visiting scholar at Daimler Benz AG from July 1998 to December 1999. From September 2002 to present, Professor at the School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Executive Deputy Director of the National Passenger Vehicle Automatic Transmission Engineering and Technology Research Center, and Fellow of the China SAE. Professor Xu has long been engaged in theoretical and engineering technology innovation and industrialization of automatic transmissions for vehicles. He has led the development of the world’s first front wheel drive 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT) and its series of products, and won the first prize of National Science and Technology Progress Award (first author) in 2016. His main research interests: Vehicle automatic transmission theory and control technology, hybrid transmission technology, and electric drive technology.
Prof. Karsten Stahl
Technical University of Munich
Title: Multi-Objective Optimization of Electric Drive Units for Electric Vehicles
Abstract: Electric drive units (EDUs) are core components of battery electric vehicles, combining power electronics, electric machines, and transmissions. Their design involves a wide range of choices — from motor types (ASM, EESM, PSM) to transmission architectures (layshaft or planetary, single- or multi-speed). These decisions strongly influence key performance indicators such as NVH, efficiency, and power density. The growing trend toward very high-speed electric machines adds further complexity to the design process.
At FZG, several research projects tackle these challenges. In the Speed2E and Speed4E projects, high-speed EDU concepts with input speeds of up to 30,000 and 50,000 rpm and dual-motor layouts were developed, achieving up to 90% higher power density compared to reference systems. Innovative thermal management approaches using water-containing fluids were also explored.
The ongoing OPT4E project brings together seven industrial and four academic partners to develop a digital methodology for multi-objective EDU optimization. Building on previous work and validated test data, a cross-domain software tool is being developed to accelerate EDU development and to support design decisions across motors, transmissions, and power electronics.
This keynote will present the OPT4E methodology and key results, demonstrating how integrated digital approaches can unlock new performance potential for next-generation electric powertrains.
Biography: Professor Karsten STAHL studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and served as a research associate at the Gear Research Centre (FZG) at TUM and received his Ph.D. degree (Dr.-Ing.). Then, he worked 10 years for BMW in different positions. He was head of the group “Prototyping, Gear Technology & Methods” in Dingolfing, department leader “Validation Driving Dynamics and Powertrain” at the MINI plant in Oxford, and Manager for “Predevelopment and Innovation Management” within BMW Driving Dynamics and Powertrain in Munich.
Since 2011 Prof. Stahl is head of the Institute for Machine Elements and director of the Gear Research Center (FZG) at TUM and since 2024 he is also head of the De-partment of Mechanical Engineering at the School of Engineering and Design of TUM.
The focus of his research is experimental and analytical investigations of endurance, tribology, NVH, materials, and condition monitoring on gears, transmission components, and drive systems, targeting to develop methods and tools for the reliable de-termination of fatigue life, efficiency, and vibration characteristics.
Prof. Stahl is the author of several hundred scientific publications, member of many scientific boards and associations, convenor of DIN and ISO working groups, editor of scientific journals, and chairman of different scientific conferences, including president of the VDI International Conference on Gears.
Prof. Qingkai Han
Northeastern University
Prof. Qingkai Han is a Professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, with research expertise spanning machinery dynamics, rotor dynamics, nonlinear vibration, condition monitoring, and PHM. He has undertaken multiple projects under national key research and development plan of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China. His research has been successfully applied in industrial settings, earning over 10 national/provincial/ministerial awards, 20+ patents, 7 published books, and 200+ academic papers.
Prof. Han currently serves as Director of the Mechanical Reliability and Dynamics Research Center at Northeastern University, Director & Executive Director of the Rotor Dynamics Committee of Chinese Society of Vibration Engineering, and holds memberships in the Nonlinear Vibration Professional Committee, Mechanical Design Branch of Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society, Nonlinear Dynamics Professional Committee of Chinese Society of Mechanics, and as Standing Director of the Fault Diagnosis Branch of China General Machinery Association.
Key Dates
| Conference Dates |
| November 21-23, 2025 |
| Registration and Submission |
| Deadline for Paper Registration with Abstract Submission: July 15, 2025 Deadline for Paper Submission: September 15, 2025 Notification of Paper Acceptance: September 30, 2025 Deadline for Final Paper Submission: October 30, 2025 |
Organizing Committee
| Organization |
| Conference Honor Chair Prof. Zongxia Jiao, Academician CAE, Beihang University, China Conference Chair Prof. Christos Spitas, University of Nottingham Ningbo China Conference Co-Chair Prof. Xiangyang Xu, Beihang University, China Prof. Liangfei Xu, Tsinghua University, China Prof. Per Tunestål, Lund University, Sweden Prof. Tartakovsky, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel Program Chair Dr. Dunant Halim, University of Nottingham Ningbo China Program Co-Chair Prof. Shijin Shuai, Tsinghua University, China Prof. R. G. Prucka, Clemson University, US Prof. U. Montanaro, University of Surrey, UK Prof. L. Tornello, Università degli Studi di Catania, Italy |
| Organizing Committee |
| Organizing Committee Chair Prof. Xubin Song, Zhejiang University of Science & Technology, China Prof. Hui Xie, Tianjin University, China Prof. Tiancai Ma, Tongji University, China Dr. Junbin Lai, Ningbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, China Prof. M. Shahbakhti, University of Alberta, Canada Prof. Hongming Xu, Birmingham University, UK Organizing Committee Member Prof. Daofei Li, Zhejiang University, China Prof. Kang Song, Tianjin University, China Prof. Chris Brace, University of Bath, UK Prof. Giorgio Rizzoni, Ohio State University, USA Prof. Liang Zhang, Tsinghua University, China Prof. Jinwu Gao, Jilin University, China Prof. Huiqin Chen, Hangzhou Dianzi University, China Prof. Peng Dong, Beihang University, China Dr. Ji Li, University of Birmingham, UK Prof. Xuesong Li, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Prof. Chen Lv, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Prof. Guoming Zhu, Michigan State University, USA Prof. J. Deur, University of Zagreb, Croatia Prof. Vasilios Spitas, NTU Athens, Greece Dr. Paulo Debiagi, University of Nottingham Ningbo China Prof. F. Aymen, National Engineering School of Gabes, Tunisia Dr. A. H. Mashhadzadeh, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan Dr. M. Rakhtala, University of the West of England, UK Dr. Wei Guo, Ningbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, China |
| Scientific Advisory Committee |
| Advisory Committee Chair Prof. Hong Chen, Tongji University, China Prof. Tielong Shen, Sophia University, Japan Prof. Zoran Filipi, Clemson University, USA Prof. Karsten Stahl, TU Munich, Germany Prof. M. K. Ebrahimi, Loughborough University, UK Prof. Lars Eriksson, Linkping University, Sweden Advisory Committee Member Prof. Fujun Zhang, Beijing Institute of Technology, China Prof. H. Ameziane, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Morocco Dr. Haiwen Ge, Zhejiang Laboratory, China Prof. Defeng He, Zhejiang University of Technology, China Prof. Junmin Wang, University of Texas at Austin, USA Dr. M. Mohammad-Pour, Loughborough University, UK Prof. F. Kücükay, TU Braunschweig, Germany Prof. Gianfranco Rizzo, University of Salerno, Italy Prof. Aldo Sorniotti,Politecnico di TORINO, Italy Prof. Marcis Jansons, Wayne State University, USA Prof. Timothy J. Jacobs, Texas A&M University, USA Prof. Ivan Arsie,University of Naples Parthenope, Italy Dr. Andrew Watson, Loughborough University, UK Prof. Amir Khajepour, University of Waterloo, Canada Prof. Cacciato,University degli Studi di Catania, Italy Prof. K.K. Srinivasan, University of Alabama, USA Prof. Peter Tenberge, Ruhr-U. Bochum, Germany Prof. D. Docimo, Texas Tech University, USA Prof. Min Xu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Prof. Xiaosong Hu, Chongqing University, China |
| Scientific Advisory Committee |
| Advisory Committee Chair Prof. Hong Chen, Tongji University, China Prof. Tielong Shen, Sophia University, Japan Prof. Zoran Filipi, Clemson University, USA Prof. Karsten Stahl, TU Munich, Germany Prof. M. K. Ebrahimi, Loughborough University, UK Prof. Lars Eriksson, Linkping University, Sweden Advisory Committee Member Prof. Fujun Zhang, Beijing Institute of Technology, China Prof. H. Ameziane,Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Morocco Dr. Haiwen Ge, Zhejiang Laboratory, China Prof. Defeng He, Zhejiang University of Technology, China Prof. Junmin Wang, University of Texas at Austin, USA Dr. M. Mohammad-Pour, Loughborough University, UK Prof. F. Kücükay, TU Braunschweig, Germany Prof. Gianfranco Rizzo, University of Salerno, Italy Prof. Aldo Sorniotti, Politecnico di TORINO, Italy Prof. Marcis Jansons, Wayne State University, USA Prof. Timothy J. Jacobs,Texas A&M University, USA Prof. Ali Emadi, McMaster University, Canada Prof. Ivan Arsie, University of Naples Parthenope, Italy Dr. Andrew Watson, Loughborough University, UK Prof. Amir Khajepour,University of Waterloo, Canada Prof. Cacciato,University degli Studi di Catania, Italy Prof. K.K. Srinivasan, University of Alabama, USA Prof. Peter Tenberge, Ruhr-U. Bochum, Germany Prof. D. Docimo, Texas Tech University, USA Prof. Min Xu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Prof. Xiaosong Hu, Chongqing University, China |