Abstract
For about a decade, passenger car powerplants have been target of an intense R&D by manufacturers, and the results are now to be seen. With downsizing, turbocharging and utilising sophisticated electronically controlled valve actuation engineers have succeeded in creating engines that are at the same time more economical, but at the same time more powerful than their predecessors. Furthermore, advances in aftertreatment technology have substantially improved the emissions performance of all engines. The objective of this research task was to provide up to date information on the emissions performance of modern passenger cars powered with different engines representing most modern technology. A multi-angle view was taken, and in addition to fuel and energy use, also exhaust emissions were analysed in detail, including many types of non-regulated emissions. Test fleet was composed of 20 cars with either SI or CI engine, and some hybrids as well, including one E-REV. European Type approval cycle (NEDC) was used, but in addition two “real-world” cycles for city and highway driving were also employed. Ambient temperatures for the tests were +23 and -7 °C. This study clearly shows that it is difficult to make a choice, as the characteristics of the exhaust emissions are so very different that considering only carbon dioxide emissions is not sufficient. Equally, if not even more difficult is to try to benchmark the options, as the various emission components have such different effects, and also the driving environment (urban or rural) makes a difference.
KEYWORDS - Petrol, Diesel, FFV, E-REV, Emissions