Consisting of 25 funded partners from industry, SMEs and science – supplemented by associated partners from research and business – ReDriveS is one of the national flagship projects in the specialist programme ‘DNS of sustainable mobility – digital, sustainable, system-compatible’ of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). ReDriveS has a project volume of more than €25 million with total funding of over €16 million. The project aims to develop economically viable and ecologically beneficial circular economy solutions for electric axle drives. Automated dismantling processes, innovative recycling methods for rare earth magnets and the use of digital twins are intended to create cross-industry foundations for sustainable electromobility.

Industrial usability as a goal

The project makes a significant contribution to the resilience of the value chain in electromobility and plays an important role in meeting future recycling quotas and reducing the CO2 footprint of electric vehicles in Germany and Europe. The project, which is scheduled to run for 36 months, is being coordinated by Schaeffler AG, with TÜV Rheinland Forschungs- und Innovationsmanagement GmbH acting as project sponsor.

Ceremonial launch of the research project

For the official launch on 12 and 13 January 2026, more than 80 participants from the consortium gathered at the Schaeffler site in Herzogenaurach to celebrate the start of the research project. The 12th of January was dedicated to the official project launch: in the afternoon and evening, there were welcoming speeches by Stefan Heidemann (BMWE) and keynotes from industry and research, as well as a presentation of the overall ReDriveS project by consortium leader Schaeffler. This was followed by a joint networking event, which provided an opportunity for personal exchanges between the project partners. On the morning of 13 January, the current status and objectives of the work packages were presented. The programme was rounded off by the project sponsor's report and an outlook on the next steps in the project implementation.

Industry solution for OEMs, suppliers and recyclers

With its combination of automation, digitalisation and circular economy, ReDriveS exemplifies the transformation of the German automotive industry towards sustainable, data-driven and resource-efficient production systems. Once completed, the results of the project will be transferred to industrial applications and made available as an industry solution for OEMs, suppliers and recyclers.

Digital twin from Fraunhofer LBF

As a key project partner, the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF in Darmstadt is developing a digital twin that reliably assesses the condition of electric axle drives and the expected remaining service life of their components. To this end, Fraunhofer LBF links data from development, manufacturing and operation with targeted end-of-life tests and converts it into robust condition and service life models. Based on proven expertise in systems engineering, structural and system simulation, and damage and fatigue calculation, Fraunhofer LBF combines physical and data-based modelling to create a holistic picture of degradation and reuse potential. In this way, the institute provides the basis for decisions on the efficient dismantling, reuse and economical recycling of electric axle drives.

Crucial for competitiveness

Prof. Dr. Thilo Bein from Fraunhofer LBF: ‘Innovations towards a circular economy are crucial for the competitiveness of the European automotive industry and an essential aspect of the future European research strategy. As a German beacon, ReDriveS not only makes a decisive contribution to the implementation of a circular economy in the European automotive industry, but also paves the way for scaling up in the form of European pilot lines, as currently envisaged in the future Automotive Joint Undertaking.’