Well to wheels energy and emissions analysis of a recycled 1974 VW Super Beetle converted into a plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle

Abstract

Abstract The low emission and high fuel economy standards set by regulatory agencies are causing an increase in the number of electrified (hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric) vehicles reaching the marketplace. In order for students to obtain a better understanding of the architecture of these vehicles, a 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle was converted into a plug-in series hybrid electric vehicle with a generator that runs on used canola oil biodiesel. Moreover, this vehicle is connected to a solar photovoltaic charging station for a comparison of recharging on or off the electrical grid. To analyze this recycling of a vehicle including renewable energy sources requires a life cycle energy and emissions analysis (LCA). To this end, this effort utilizes the Argonne National Laboratory Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model. Moreover, a Matlab-based vehicle dynamics simulation coupled to GREET provides a localized driving cycle examination in the LCA. The resulting outcomes presented include the reduction in energy use and emissions through recycling and component reuse for a vehicle. In addition, on-road testing with model validation demonstrates fuel savings using a more efficient vehicle over the baseline design. Finally, this effort documents improvements in the sustainability of the vehicle by incorporating solar energy for charging.