Technology strategy to meet China’s 5 L/100 km fuel consumption target for passenger vehicles in 2020

Abstract

In an effort to solve the growing energy and environmental issues, China launched the fuel consumption regulation, which requires the fleet average fuel consumption of new passenger vehicles to reach 5 L/100 km in 2020. The technology strategy to meet the regulation target has become a major concern for the Chinese as well as global automotive manufacturers. This paper aims to systematically and critically appraise the technology strategy from two perspectives, namely the ‘energy-saving’ and ‘new energy’ strategies. Our analysis indicates that conventional powertrain still has great potential for energy conservation. Potential from existing engines should continue to be explored. The developing of transmission system should be more fuel efficiency oriented. Vehicles that use lightweight materials to conserve energy should be fully explored. From the system perspective, the assembly and overall design of vehicles need to be optimized. New energy vehicles are yet capable of competing with conventional vehicles. They face the challenges of power generation transformation, battery technology immaturity, and lack of charging infrastructures. Hybrid electric vehicles are the appropriate embodiment of technological transition from conventional vehicles to new energy vehicles.