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With increasing focus on greenhouse gas
and other emissions from motor vehicles, the requirement for reduced
fuel consumption (resulting in reduction in CO2 emissions) and pollutants
is driving the powertrain development for automotive applications.
The next emerging pressure is energy usage - looking at sustainable
energy sources for the motor vehicle fleet in the future, as conventional
fuels are recognised as having a finite lifetime.
In Europe, the self commitment of the A.C.E.A.
will see the target of reduced CO2 emissions for passenger car vehicles
down to 140 g/km by 2008 for vehicle manufacturers, compared to
today's level of approximately 165 g/km. As such, Europe leads the
way for advanced technologies for reducing fuel consumption. Advanced
gasoline engine research is continuing with next generation DI engines,
as well as HCCI and VVL systems. With the higher efficiency of current
diesel engines, their market share is also increasing throughout
Europe, with France, Germany and UK showing large increases in recent
years. Large shift to diesel for European manufacturers has a negative
side due to increased costs relative to sale price of these vehicles.
Diesel engine development has focused on emissions reduction including
NOx and particulate mass reductions, through the use of advanced
combustion and aftertreatment technologies.
The USA is still mainly driven by introduction
of future emissions legislations. CAFE is able to be met with existing
technologies, and there is no strong driver at present for further
reduced fuel consumption. Market pressure with rising fuel prices
may see a return to more emphasis for fuel consumption in the future.
Diesel engine are starting to be introduced into US, however are
more limited to high-end luxury cars (such as Mercedes) or larger
SUVs, where fuel saving and high torque at low engine speed are
characteristics making these engines attractive for these particular
markets. The higher base engine costs for diesel, and the difficulties
associated with exhaust post-treatment required to meet the extremely
stringent upcoming US emissions legislations, suggests that the
market penetration of diesel engines may be limited.
Asia is characterised by differences in regional
focus: In Japan, fuel economy and emissions will become more stringent.
China is introducing Euro 3 and Euro 4 in an effort to catch up
with international norms, whilst also introducing fuel economy legislation
with FC targets by vehicle type. The technology being introduced
to meet these emissions and FE targets is predominantly advanced
port fuel injection (PFI); including the introduction of EOBD -
a requirement needing significant effort. Australia has adopted
Euro 2 standards and is moving towards Euro 3 introduction. Imported
vehicles from Europe should require only minimal change, whilst
the challenge is new to Australian OEMs. It is forecast that the
new requirements will require significant facility investment and
/or outsourcing of services in order to overcome the workload involved
in calibration and certification; including cold CVS testing, advanced
evaporative emissions, and EOBD.
A range of advanced technology solutions are
also being investigated by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers worldwide including
CNG (compressed natural gas, particularly in direct injected format),
fuel cells and hybrids. The forecast implementation dates for mass
usage of these technologies is further out on the horizon.
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