AVL, or Anstalt für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen List, is an Austrian-based automotiveconsulting firm as well as an independent research institute. It is the largest privately owned company for the development of powertrain systems with internal combustion engines as well as instrumentation and test systems and also produces electric powertrains. AVL is the world's largest independent company for the development, simulation and testing of powertrain systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, construction, large engines and their integration into the vehicle. The company has decades of experience in the development and optimization of powertrain systems for all industries. As a global technology leader, AVL provides complete and integrated development environments, measurement and test systems as well as state-of-the-art simulation methods. As a pioneer in the field of innovative solutions, such as diverse electrification strategies for powertrains, AVL is increasingly taking on new tasks in the field of autonomous driving especially on the basis of subjective human sensations. In the competition of technologies – internal combustion engine, battery/electric drive and fuel cell systems – and their combinations, AVL is working intensively and with the same priorities. AVL has digitized the vehicle development process with state-of-the-art and highly scalable IT, software and technology platforms, and creates new customer solutions in the areas of big data, artificial intelligence, simulation and embedded systems in an agile and integrated development environment.
AVL was founded by Professor Doctor Hans List in 1948, after he became an independent engineer. The company was primarily focused on diesel truck engines, and after great success, branched out in 1960 to include an engine instrumentation division. Funds from the famous American Marshall Plan for reconstruction after WW II were key to the establishment of AVL. In 1969, AVL developed a revolutionary test bed which allowed for comprehensive data acquisition and analysis. Throughout the 1970s, AVL's diesel engine performance and data acquisition capabilities continued to improve, while its PUMA test bed software began to give the company an international reputation. The founder's son Helmut List became the management chairman in 1979. After more innovations and more success in the 1980s, AVL opened its AST division in 1987. Some of the AVL's special skills are widely known and available to the technically interested public. One is developing and improving 4-wheel-drive systems. Another is car sound design, for practically all car producers around the globe. This is why, in general, more silently running vehicles can be distinguished by their manufacturer. However, the sounds are sensitively matched to the local aural expectations, therefore they sound differently in Japan, South Korea, the United States, Germany, or Italy. More significantly, each type of vehicle is expected to have a characteristic sound; a sport roadster's sound greatly differs from an SUV as well as a same-company cruising limousine. AVL assisted American Ford with the design of their new Power Stroke medium-duty truck diesel engine. In 2007, AVL purchased the French company Le Moteur Moderne, which also specialises in engine development. The aim of this operation was to improve the AVL's presence in France as well as globally. CEO Helmut List is also eponymous for the , a large multi-purpose cultural venue. It hosts many events during the annual Styrian Autumn Festival. As the hall particularly features ideal acoustic conditions for classical concerts, one of its estimators is a worldwide renowned Mozart expert who grew up in Graz, conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt. AVL has technical centers around the world namely Graz, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, Sweden, Japan, Korea, France, US, Hungary, India, UK, China, Turkey and Brazil. AVL group, besides the direct affiliates of AVL List GmbH also include other companies
The shift to electrified vehicles has prompted AVL Powertrain Engineering Inc. to open a battery lab in its Ann Arbor, Mich., tech center. Also similar tech centers exist in Europe and Asia AVL is introducing a new energy management and systems integration facility, the AVL California Technology Center, to support the market's advanced technology initiatives. Located in the epicenter of "green" initiatives—southern California—the facility showcases ample capabilities not currently consolidated in any other North American. The CTC Facility include Battery Testing, Electric Motor Testing, E-Drive/E-Axle, and Powertrain testing with the most advanced powertrain chassis on the market to simulate different road conditions. facility.
