China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI) 4WD Integrated Chassis Dynamometer Commissioned in Longquan, Zhejiang, Filling EV Thermal Management Testing Gap
May 13, 2026
Longquan, Zhejiang, March 30, 2026 - A high-precision 4WD integrated chassis dynamometer (comprehensive drum test bench), developed and supplied by CAERI Chongqing Kairui Test Equipment Co., Ltd., has been officially commissioned at the Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for New Energy Vehicle Thermal Management in Longquan, Zhejiang. As the core facility of the laboratory's 4WD vehicle environmental simulation chamber, this system addresses a critical regional gap in NEV thermal management testing capability, supporting the development and certification of electric and intelligent connected vehicles in Southwest Zhejiang.
The integrated chassis dynamometer, often referred to as a "comprehensive drum" system, is designed to simulate real-world road resistance with high accuracy while enabling full-vehicle thermal management testing under controlled environmental conditions. The CAERI-Kairui unit features multi-axis synchronous control technology, permanent magnet synchronous (PMS) loading motors, and high-stiffness drum assemblies, delivering a road load simulation accuracy of ±1.5% and a torque measurement repeatability of ≤0.5%-meeting and exceeding the requirements of China's latest national calibration specification JJF1221-2025, which tightens speed and torque tolerances for emission and performance testing.
A key feature of this system is its full compatibility with all-wheel-drive (AWD) and electric vehicles (EVs). The four-drum configuration supports dynamic testing of both front/rear-wheel-drive and 4WD vehicles, with a maximum test capacity of 350 kW power absorption and 5,000 N·m torque per axle. The system is integrated with the environmental chamber's -40°C to +60°C temperature control, 10–90% RH humidity regulation, and full-spectrum solar simulation capabilities, allowing engineers to replicate extreme climate conditions-from alpine cold to desert heat-while conducting real-time tests of battery thermal runaway, motor cooling efficiency, and cabin HVAC performance.
During its first month of operation, the dynamometer completed over 120 test cycles for 15 different NEV models, including compact EVs, plug-in hybrids, and light commercial vehicles. Test data showed that the system's dynamic response time is less than 100 ms, enabling precise replication of transient driving conditions such as rapid acceleration, hill climbing, and high-speed cruising. The integrated data acquisition system synchronizes over 200 channels of sensor data-including battery temperature, motor winding temperature, coolant flow rates, and cabin air quality-providing a unified digital twin of the vehicle's thermal and powertrain systems for detailed analysis.
"The commissioning of this 4WD comprehensive drum system marks a major milestone in China's NEV testing infrastructure," said Dr. Wang Jian, Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for New Energy Vehicle Thermal Management. "Previously, local OEMs had to send vehicles to laboratories in Shanghai or Beijing for thermal management testing, which was costly and time-consuming. This system not only provides local, high-precision testing services but also supports the development of next-generation EV thermal management technologies, such as direct liquid cooling and integrated battery-chassis systems."
CAERI-Kairui, a subsidiary of China Automotive Engineering Research Institute, is a leading domestic manufacturer of automotive testing equipment, with over 20 years of experience in chassis dynamometers, engine test benches, and environmental simulation systems. The company has supplied over 500 chassis dynamometer systems to OEMs, test labs, and inspection stations across China, with a domestic market share of over 35%. The Longquan project is part of the company's strategy to expand its presence in regional testing infrastructure, supporting China's goal of becoming a global leader in NEV R&D and manufacturing.
