The transition to a sustainable energy economy is probably the greatest collective challenge we have ever faced. The problem is a long term one but the transition is already underway...
Led by the EU Government drive towards a fleet average CO2 target for passenger cars of 130g/km, phased in from 2012 to 2015 and with non-compliance penalties, there is now a worldwide focus on finding solutions to both legislated and real world fuel economy challenges.
Ricardo believes that conventional diesel applications will continue to dominate the European market in Europe in the medium term, and become increasingly significant elsewhere. To this end we are active in stretching the low CO2 capability of future vehicles by both MY and R&D programmes.
Ricardo’s cost-effective Diesel vehicle CO2 reduction Roadmap involves three main building blocks:
- Rapid calibration of ‘eco’ variants of existing vehicles - to improve CO2 competitiveness <120g/km C-class (or equivalent)
- Future vehicle programmes with new technology implementation and calibration <100g/km C-class (or equivalent)
- Advanced technology development and demonstration targeting vehicles for 2013+ <80g/km C-class (or equivalent)
The roadmap focuses on the optimisation of system performance, to deliver cost effective CO2 reduction in combination with future Emissions Solutions, via:
- Thermal Management and Optimisation
- Friction Reduction
- Reduction of Parasitic Losses
- Improved Emissions Control & Combustion Efficiency
This evolutionary roadmap will deliver substantial CO2 improvement for light duty diesel applications at minimum cost and risk, and in the future holds the possibility to the achievement of 60g/km or lower, by the application of anticipated future technology in combination the a downsized hybrid powertrain.
Further details about Ricardo’s CO2 reduction technology, please contact Adrian.Greaney@ricardo.com