A significant international collaboration is commencing next to the ZalaZONE Automotive Proving Ground: a memorandum of understanding was recently signed for the establishment of a joint Hungarian-Chinese automotive and energy storage development and validation center.

According to the signed Memorandum of Understanding, the parties will jointly establish a research and development, testing, and certification base for intelligent new energy vehicles and energy storage systems in Zalaegerszeg. The establishment of the center is driven by the China-U.S. Green Fund, Zhongzhi Zhitong Testing Technology Co., Ltd., and Automotive Proving Ground Zala Ltd.

The parties aim to create a testing, certification, and validation capacity that will serve not only European but also Asian and American markets. The plan is to build a development and validation ecosystem focused on alternative energies around ZalaZONE, integrating joint development and validation activities of East Asian and European vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, as well as additional energy applications.

The goal is to accelerate the industrial application of R&D results through the investment and incubation activities of the planned industrial fund. The center is expected not only to boost technological innovation in the automotive and energy sectors but also to create new jobs, supplier opportunities, and attract international investments to Hungary.