Review of the Research Program of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles Fourth Report (1998) / Chapter Skim
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6 Major Crosscutting Issues
6 Major Crosscutting Issues
Pages 75-88
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From page 75... ...
After the technology selection of specific configurations for concept demonstration vehicles, the development of technologies for low fuel consumption vehicles will take two distinct paths. The first is the concept demonstration, which involves the systematic refinement of systems and components for lightweight, low-loss, CIDI-powered HEVs towards viable production vehicles.
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From page 76... ...
It is not surprising, therefore, that all three USCAR partners chose configurations with major weight reductions, reduced aerodynamic drag, reduced accessory loads, low rolling resistance tires, low-loss transmissions, CIDI engines, and parallel hybrid configurations that allow some regeneration of braking energy (see Appendix F)
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From page 77... ...
The PNGV should continue to refine its detailed analyses of the cost of ownership of hybrid and nonhybrid vehicles. If the economic and performance benefits of the hybrid electric vehicle do not exceed or warrant its additional costs, the concept demonstration vehicle program should be expanded to include nonhybrid vehicles to accelerate the development and introduction of economically viable technologies.
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From page 78... ...
, and assuming that the PNGV/USCAR partners can overcome the formidable challenges of emission goals, the committee believes that adequate resources have been applied to the selected technologies and that the year 2000 concept demonstration vehicles and the 2004 prototype vehicles can be realized. The development of alternative energy converters and storage devicesnotably fuel cells, gas turbines, Stirling cycle engines, flywheels, and ultracapacitors have not progressed to a level where they could be selected for the year 2000 concept vehicles.
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From page 79... ...
The nonhybrid vehicle uses relatively low-risk technologies and has the potential to reduce the cost of ownership. Although this vehicle will still involve some risk, as well as further significant development, capital investment, and increased infrastructure costs, accelerated implementation of these technologies leading to an approximately 60+ mpg vehicle, coupled with expanded research in the areas specified for the concept vehicles (see the section on Government Involvement in Post-Concept Vehicles below)
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From page 80... ...
Although the P2000 is a Ford program rather than a shared PNGV project, it is representative of the rapid progress the PNGV/USCAR partners have been making, and can make, in the development of fuel-efficient concept demonstration vehicles. Limited progress was reported under the auspices of the PNGV on technologies beyond those selected for the concept vehicles, except in the area of fuel cells, where progress on stack-power density (abroad)
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From page 81... ...
. · meeting overall cost objectives in all major areas · meeting the stringent emissions target for CIDI engines with an accept able fuel infrastructure developing efficient systems for recovering braking energy and using it to meet peak power demands meeting safety targets and extending the life cycle of batteries in HEVs The committee identified the following principal barriers for technologies beyond the concept vehicle demonstrations: · reducing fuel-cell system cost and improving reformer performance (including emissions, efficiency, and start-up cycle)
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From page 82... ...
Also, major weight reductions in other classes of vehicles would have a very large impact on the total fuel consumption of the nation's personal transportation fleet, which is a fundamental goal of the PNGV program. The committee believes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should become involved in crashworthiness studies of lightweight vehicles comparable to PNGV vehicle designs.
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From page 83... ...
PNGV initiative directed to better fuel economy, which appears to have spurred increased foreign investment and the initiation of national programs in new automotive technologies. For all of these reasons, the rate of progress overseas continues to be significant in most low fuel consumption technologies.
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From page 84... ...
PNGV GOALS 1 AND 2 Goals 1 and 2 are open-ended and do not have quantitative targets and milestones. Because the Goal 3 concept demonstration vehicles are focusing on relatively near-term technologies, the distinctions between Goal 3, Goal 1 (increasing competitiveness in manufacturing)
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From page 85... ...
The PNGV should make sure that the priorities for activities for goals 1 and 2 are consistent with Goal 3 and the overall requirements of the program. GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN POST-CONCEPT VEHICLES The committee was asked to comment on "the role of the government in the PNGV program after the technology selection process is complete." The development of low fuel consumption technologies will take different paths depending on whether or not they were selected for the concept vehicle demonstration configuration.
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From page 86... ...
Specific areas that the committee believes are appropriate for federal research and development are listed below (see also NRC [19981~: Technologies Selected for the 2000 Concept Vehicle accelerated, short-term research on CIDI engine combustion and emissions · research on manufacturing methods for lightweight structural materials · analysis of fuel infrastructure issues · analysis of vehicle safety issues · longer-term research on electrochemical storage devices · longer-term research on power electronics technologies Technologies Selected for the Post-Concept Vehicle · system development and demonstration of fuel cells with emphasis on cost, fuel reforming, and start-up and transient strategies development of enabling technologies for advanced gas turbine ceramic components and systems analysis to determine if further development is warranted · development of enabling technologies for the containment of flywheels and systems analysis to determine if further development is warranted · development of advanced batteries with longer life, improved performance, enhanced safety, and lower cost . Recommendation.
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From page 87... ...
Given the increasing importance of light trucks and sport utility vehicles in the U.S. market, coordination between programs, such as OAAT's activities and R&D on CIDI engines for light trucks and heavy-duty vehicles, is important (NRC, 1998~.
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From page 88... ...
Department of Transportation/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulates vehicle safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could appropriately become involved in crashworthiness studies of lightweight vehicles. (See a recent study on vehicle size and weight as related to safety [DOT, 1997b]
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