Combustion Vehicles Research Articles

The air quality benefits of electric vehicles’ adoption in the short food supply chain

Concerns continue to rise about environmental sustainability and the impacts of traditional transportation systems. Exploring alternative solutions therefore becomes imperative. This paper aims to investigate the potential advantages of integrating battery electric vehicles into the agricultural short food supply chain with a specific focus on air quality improvements. In order to reach the research goal, this study gives a thorough and comparative environmental analysis based on a real-world test conducted under the EnerNETMob project financed by the InterregMed programme, in contrast to other studies that primarily relied on general parameters and simulations. This study illustrated that using an electric vehicle (EV), like the Nissan e-NV200, for short-distance transportation of agri-food products is not an environmentally sustainable solution instead of using a petrol-powered vehicle. However, as the distance travelled increases, the environmental impact of electric vehicles diminishes, surpassing that of internal combustion vehicles. This study holds significant theoretical, practical and policy implications that are worth considering.

PENENTUAN KADAR NITROGEN DIOKSIDA (NO2) DALAM UDARA AMBIEN DENGAN METODE GRIESS SALTZMAN MENGGUNAKAN SPEKTROFOTOMETER

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) contributes greatly as a precursor to a number of harmful secondary air pollutants including nitric acid, the nitrate portion of secondary inorganic aerosols and oxidants including ozone. Nitrogen dioxide gas (NO2) is an ambient air pollutant along with the element nitrogen monoxide (NO) which is usually produced from human activities such as burning vehicle engine fuel, burning rubbish, burning coal and industry. This research aims to monitor the quality of air pollution in industrial areas in East Jakarta. The NO2 content in the air can be determined using the UV-Vis spectrophotometer method based on SNI 7119-2: 2017. The principle of NO2 testing uses a UV-Vis spectrophotometer based on SNI 7119-2: 2017. From the results of the tests carried out, it can be concluded that the NO2 level obtained in sample 1 was found to be 25,153 µg/Nm3, in sample 2 the NO2 level was 28,371 µg/Nm3, in sample 3 the NO2 level was 107,022 µg/Nm3, in sample 4 the NO2 level was 29,720 µg/Nm3. Nm3, and in sample 5 the NO2 level was 83.446 µg/Nm3. Based on PP RI No. 22 attachment VII of 2021 concerning air pollution control, the quality standard for NO2 is 200 µg/Nm3 for 1 hour. So it can be concluded from the results of the tests that have been carried out that the NO2 levels in the environment are still below the quality standard, which means that it is not a source of NO2 pollution, is safe and meets the requirements for human health and the environment.

Efficiency optimization of a vehicle combustion engine by the adjustment of the spark advance angle

Changing the ignition advance angle has a significant impact on the performance of a combustion engine. Optimization of ignition advance angle is a major task of adjusting engine concerning emission standards, fuel consumption, torque value, etc. The results of the research showed that the process of optimizing ignition advance curve can noticeably increase engine efficiency, as well as torque and power output from the engine, while reducing fuel consumption as a result of lower indications of the air flow mass per second from MAF sensor (mass air flow sensor). The highest impact of the ignition advanced angle modifications can be seen in the area of the highest volumetric efficiency of the tested combustion engine. Almost no impact is observed within high engine speed levels. Simultaneously increasing engine load and rotation speed increases the possibility of engine knocking, which has devastating effect on engine durability.

Comparative assessment of energy efficiency indicators of a multi-fuel internal combustion vehicle and an electric vehicle

In the current discussions on the future of the automotive industry, two extreme opinions clash: electromobility or vehicles with conventional drive but powered by alternative fuels. The article discusses the issue related to modeling the energy efficiency factors of a combustion engine operating on three types of fuels (Diesel 100%, Biofuel 100%, and Hemp Oil 100%) as well as an electric drive powered by energy from a coal power plant. Analytical research was conducted based on the external characteristics of the engine's performance. The external characteristic of the Fiat Panda 1.3 JTD combustion engine was obtained on the Automex dynamometer. The engine operated on three fuels: Diesel 100%, Biofuel 100% (rapeseed), and Biofuel 100% (hemp oil). The Nissan Leaf vehicle manufacturer provided the external characteristics of the electric engine. The calculation results showed that the combustion engine consumes less energy at lower speeds than the electric one. At higher speeds, the consumption rates are at a similar level. The recipients of the research are both the demand side – that is, vehicle users, as well as future manufacturers and government institutions responsible for shaping and developing future mobility in the field of individual transport.

Much ado about nothing: A failed case for banning combustion vehicles

Much ado about nothing: A failed case for banning combustion vehicles

Techno-economic evaluation of a vehicle to home and time of use tariff scheme to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in Chile

Despite the accelerated adoption of the Electric Vehicle (EV) on a global scale, Chile reports a marginal adoption among non-commercial users of passenger cars (NCUPC), which can be attributed to the lack of subsidies to cover the upfront cost of EVs. This paper proposes and evaluates a strategy that integrates a Time-of-Use (TOU) tariff with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) operation to promote EV adoption without requiring subsidies or significant investments in grid infrastructure. The study uses technical data to estimate residential electric consumption patterns, battery charging/discharging profiles, and operating conditions of V2H, considering different scenarios to calculate economic metrics using a differential cash flow. The annual traveled distance is used as a metric for comparative analysis, being captured for each scenario when the Internal Return Rate (IRR) equals the 7% discount rate that defines the economic balance. Results show that integrating TOU and V2H reduces the annual traveled distance required to get economic balance by up to 13% compared with the current scenario. Moreover, when considering plausible forecasts of gas and EV upfront cost, the annual traveled distance can be further reduced by up to 31.6% and 50%, respectively, making EVs economically viable for a broader range of current users of combustion vehicles.

Maintenance and Exploitation of Electric, Hybrid, and Internal Combustion Vehicles

This paper presents an analysis of the costs, failure rate, vulnerability, and safety of electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles (EV, HEV, and ICEV), including a review of literature sources, calculations, and investigations. Many literature sources do not provide information on maintenance costs (including repairs and servicing) and limit themselves to energy costs only. However, this cost is not the total cost of the maintenance of a vehicle. There is a lack of analysis of the difference between the maintenance and operating costs of vehicles. Similarly, vulnerability is difficult to determine in vehicles that are used for a short time in the market. The article presents an analysis of literature sources and industry reports on electromobility on maintenance costs, determines the failure rate, calculates vulnerability indices based on a survey, and carries out an expert risk assessment using the FMEA method. In the surveyed companies, the largest percentage of repairs are maintenance and service, mechanical, electrical and electronic, bodywork, and other repairs for each vehicle. Some of the most common faults in electric and hybrid vehicles are battery failures. The only hazard with a tolerable impact is the lack of sufficient data in the maintenance analysis. This risk can be mitigated in subsequent stages of product readiness once more data have been analysed.

Comparison of CO2 emission between conventional internal combustion vehicles (CICVs) and electric vehicles (EVs)

As the climate changes on earth, people are caring more about the issue of global warming. In that, they invented electric cars, which is touted as an effective way to reduce vehicles emissions of CO2. So, this essay will explain whether EVs helps the environment. Research on different aspects of both cars have been done, structures, history and others are being included. As the study result, which being found out is that the electric vehicles averagely emit less CO2 than conventional internal combustion cars. Also, what is affecting the carbon dioxide emission of EVs are their dependence of time and time of the day. What’s more, many proposed solutions of reducing carbon emission on EVs are being used now efficiently.

The Mechanical Response of Structural Elements in Enclosed Structures during Electric Vehicle Fires: A Computational Study

Due to their reduced emissions and environmental benefits, electric vehicles (EVs) have grown in popularity over the past few years. However, EV fires can be a serious threat to nearby buildings, especially in garages where they are parked and charged. In this work, the behavior of the steel structural components in garages during electric car fires is computationally analyzed. To simulate the heat transmission and the structural reaction of a typical garage exposed to an EV fire, a finite element model was created. A comparison was made between the risk associated with fires generated by internal combustion vehicles (ICEVs) and EVs, with the elaboration of a risk index based on the deflections reached by a steel column under fire conditions. The model predictions are based on experimental data retrieved from various literature investigations, as well as regulatory simplified methods. The study conclusions provide information on how EV and ICEV fires affected garage performance, which may be used to design more resilient and safer buildings. The method represents a good compromise between the typical performance-based approaches and the tabular ones, characterized by good accuracy and low computational burden. This allows the professional to design optimized structures without wasting material and unnecessary coatings with their additional permanent loads, which could be detrimental in the case of other exceptional actions such as earthquakes.

The influence of household characteristics on the purchase of clean cars. The case of Spain

This paper determines the socioeconomic characteristics of Spanish households that use clean cars, with the aim of identifying how these characteristics influence the market penetration of these vehicles. This study is one of the few in the literature that analyses the characteristics of car users based on a broad sample of data, that is representative of 11.5 million households. The results allow us to identify socioeconomic challenges and opportunities regarding the goal of replacing combustion vehicles with clean vehicles. We estimate a logit model finding that high-income households are 29.3% more likely to use a clean vehicle than medium–low-income households. On the contrary, the gender and age of the household’s main breadwinner present opportunities: if he is a male, it is more likely to use clean vehicles than if she is a woman, and households whose main breadwinner is over 55 or under 30 are more likely to use it. These results provide guidelines for a better design of public policies aimed at decarbonizing the transport sector through the replacement of conventional vehicles by clean ones. To do so it is important to consider the features of the social reality in which that objective is to be achieved.

Adoption of electric vehicles by young adults in an emerging market: a case study from Argentina

ABSTRACT The destiny of the electric vehicle (EV) marketplace will depend upon the behaviour of potential buyers and on how emerging markets allow EVs to be perceived as a mobility solution to the externalities generated by internal combustion (IC) vehicles. To this end it is important to ascertain the role played by psychological factors, along with instrumental attributes, especially among younger adults (future purchasers) in not yet mature markets. Our paper analyses and models the propensity to purchase an EV with respect to an equivalent IC vehicle. It contributes to the existing literature investigating younger adults’ behaviour in an emerging market, focusing on the role of attitudes and perceptions. A stated preferences survey, built on real commercial scenarios (Renault ZOE vs Renault Clio), was designed and disseminated at the University of Cordoba (Argentina). Respondent behaviour was modelled within the random utility paradigm. First, heterogeneity among users was investigated through mixed multinomial logit formulation; The role of psycho-attitudinal factors was then explored through the specification of hybrid choice models with latent variables. Estimation results indicate the significant role of attitudes and perceptions in emerging markets.

Probabilistic scenario analysis of integrated road-power infrastructures with hybrid fleets of EVs and ICVs

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are key contributors to the reduction of CO2 emissions. However, reliance on EVs must come with the guarantee that the integrated road-power infrastructure is capable of providing adequate mobility serviceability, even in case of disruption due to accidents or disturbances due to traffic jams. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic scenario analysis framework to quantify service losses in terms of delays that vehicles (both EVs and Internal Combustion Vehicles (ICVs)) may incur due to different car accident scenarios. The framework is based on modelling the System of Systems (SoS) comprised by road network, electric power system and vehicles, with graph theory and Finite State Machines (FSMs), respectively, and then embedding the model within a probabilistic scenario analysis, wherein meaningful disruption scenarios are sampled, service losses are measured (specifically as the ratio between the increase in travel time spent along the origin-destination routes on the road network following a disruption, and the corresponding travel time in nominal traffic conditions), and the economic losses and transport reliability of the infrastructure are assessed. To exemplify the application of the framework, we consider a benchmark road-power infrastructure in New York state travelled by a mixed fleet of EVs and ICVs, with different EVs penetration levels and under car accidental scenarios of different magnitudes. By using the insightful graphical representation of the results in terms of traffic volume across different road sections, the framework allows comparing alternative road-power infrastructure designs (e.g., critical roads, optimal gas and charging station locations, power network structure and topology, …) with respect to travel times, economic service losses and transport reliability considering different nominal and disruption scenarios under different EVs penetration levels service.

Future Cities Carbon Emission Models: Hybrid Vehicle Emission Modelling for Low-Emission Zones

Current emission models primarily focus on traditional combustion vehicles and may not accurately represent emissions from the increasingly diverse vehicle fleet. The growing presence of hybrid and electric vehicles requires the development of accurate emission models to measure the emissions and energy consumption of these vehicles. This issue is particularly relevant for low-emission zones within cities, where effective mobility planning relies on simulation models using continuously updated databases. This research presents a two-dimensional emission model for hybrid vehicles, employing artificial neural networks for low-emission zones. The key outcome is the methodology developed to create a CO2 emission model tailored for hybrid vehicles, which can be used to simulate various road solutions. The CO2 emission model achieved an R2 coefficient of 0.73 and an MSE of 0.91, offering valuable information for further advancements in emission modelling.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

A hydrogen fuel cell generates energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen, making it a potential source of an electric power. The following paper presents the characteristics, operating theory, implementations, benefits, and drawbacks of the novel hydrogen fuel cell technologies available. It also covers the techniques for producing and storing hydrogen, which is the main fuel for a fuel cell. Additionally, a brief comparison of internal combustion vehicles (ICEV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCV) is presented. The findings indicate that hydrogen fuel cell technologies have a general framework, a highperformance range of 40 to 60%, an optimal temperature range of 70 to 1000oC, and a reduced natural effect. At the end, a comparative study of five major power generating system is also performed.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

A hydrogen fuel cell generates energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen, making it a potential source of an electric power. The following paper presents the characteristics, operating theory, implementations, benefits, and drawbacks of the novel hydrogen fuel cell technologies available. It also covers the techniques for producing and storing hydrogen, which is the main fuel for a fuel cell. Additionally, a brief comparison of internal combustion vehicles (ICEV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCV) is presented. The findings indicate that hydrogen fuel cell technologies have a general framework, a highperformance range of 40 to 60%, an optimal temperature range of 70 to 1000oC, and a reduced natural effect. At the end, a comparative study of five major power generating system is also performed.

Influence of Traction Battery Arrangement on Risk of Thermal Runaway and Loads Suffered by Electric Vehicle Occupant during Side Collision

In the current electric vehicles, the purpose of the traction battery is to store energy. When designing this battery, different parameters are considered to arrange the battery/module/cells in the mechanically and thermally safest configuration. Moreover, the battery layout must produce correct dynamic behavior during collisions. In the present study, different battery configurations plus added energy absorbers were analyzed. To achieve this, an internal combustion vehicle modeled with finite elements was applied as the reference model. The structural behavior of the different battery configurations in the event of a side collision was examined. First, the safest arrangement was established with respect to both cabin intrusion and thermal runaway propagation. Second, the safest arrangement that guarantees the safety of the occupants in the event of a side collision was analyzed using MADYMO. This software includes experimentally validated dummies that allow insight into the stresses experienced by occupants. The results of the analysis showed that battery pack inclusion in the vehicle increases the stiffness of the car floor, resulting in fewer intrusions into the passenger compartment. Therefore, safety of the occupants is increased. However, none of the configurations analyzed showed sufficient safety against thermal runaway. This study contains sufficient contributions to the new body of knowledge, since there is no study that analyzes the safest configuration in terms of battery behavior with respect to intrusion into the passenger compartment and the effect of thermal runaway, together with the fact that this is the safest configuration for occupants after analyzing the injuries they experience in a side collision for the different configurations.

Comparative life cycle assessment of battery-electric and diesel underground mining trucks

The mining sector is currently confronted with an energy market and evolving regulatory landscape that exerts pressure on the industry to consistently enhance its strategies and decision-making in support of sustainable practices. Traditionally, the ore is transported using heavy-duty trucks powered by diesel engines which have been identified as a primary contributor to environmental degradation. An emerging and technologically advanced solution of considerable interest is the implementation of battery-electric trucks, which still generates some uncertainty about its actual impact on the environment. The primary hypothesis under investigation is that battery-electric vehicles have significantly lower environmental impacts than conventional combustion vehicles. Thorough research is needed to bridge this knowledge gap and robustly understand the environmental effects of these technologies in the mining context. This study uses Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of battery-electric trucks compared to diesel trucks in a theoretical underground mine. The study analyses the environmental impacts around three main stages: the raw material supply for the manufacture of the vehicles, the energy supply (electricity or diesel fuel), and other indirect impacts associated with the operation of both types of trucks. The characterization methodology used is the ReCiPe2016 Midpoint (Hierarchical) using open-access software OpenLCA v1.10.3 for the impact assessment. The functional unit selected is one ton of material transported over 1 km. Our results for the baseline Chilean scenario indicate that diesel trucks have a considerably greater environmental impact in two of the five categories studied: global warming potential and stratospheric ozone depletion. The energy supply is the ‘hotspot’ for the electric truck life cycle, while the diesel truck life cycle has the operation and the energy supply as the main environmental impact sources due to the upstream and direct emissions associated with diesel supply and combustion, respectively. However, when considering particulate matter formation and water consumption, electric trucks exhibit higher impacts due to the technologies employed for generating the electricity used to charge their batteries. Furthermore, the environmental profile of the electric truck improves considerably when renewable sources of electricity substantially substitute coal in the electricity mix, as projected in the Chilean policy context. The main novelty of this study is that it is the first initiative comparing a battery-electric truck with a diesel truck considering an approach to the underground operation reality for the mining sector.

Boil-off recovery system for natural gas stations: an approach to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases

AbstractImproving the efficiency of energy use is of utmost importance in the context of climate change. Indeed, greater efficiency in the end-use of energy will make a significant contribution to lowering primary energy consumption and reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. This paper presents an approach that enables a compact liquefied natural gas station to operate without being connected to the public electric grid. It is achieved by using the Boil-off gas generated by the vehicle supply process and feeding it to a generator which, together with a photovoltaic (PV) system, can produce electrical energy. Results from a year of trial operations at the station in Escariz, Portugal, demonstrate that it is possible to recover an average of 8.66 kg of Boil-off gas daily while generating a 345% excess of electrical energy when combined with the PV system, enabling the station to be self-sustainable in terms of electricity. Based on the experimental data and calculation methodology, the project was able to earn an estimated monthly revenue of €176.27 throughout the study period while also preventing the emission of 8549 kg of CO2 equivalent from natural gas combustion in vehicles.

Recent Advances in the Development of Automotive Catalytic Converters: A Systematic Review

Despite the current boost in the use of electric vehicles to reduce the automotive sector’s footprint, combustion vehicles are and will be present in our cities in both the immediate and long term. In this sense, catalytic converters, which are exhaust gas post-treatment systems for vehicle emission control, are critical for complying with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. This work proposes a systematic review to identify the most relevant knowledge regarding the parameters (materials, geometries, and engine conditions), conditions (cold start, oxygen storage, and deactivation), and mathematical models to consider in the design of catalytic converters. The Scopus database contains 283 records related to this review’s objective. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 65 reports were retrieved for evaluation. A table was created to present the results and prepare this manuscript. The evaluation revealed that the following topics were active: the study of non-noble catalyst materials, as well as new substrate materials and geometries, for designing more compact and cost-effective catalytic converters; the development of strategies to improve conversion during cold starts; and the development of accurate and fast estimation models.

A Systematic Literature Review for Measure, Estimation, and Mitigation of Motion Sickness in Vehicle Environment

Motion sickness is a significant research topic that can impede the widespread adoption of Internal combustion vehicles (ICV), electric vehicles (EV), and automated vehicles (AV). As the technologies for EVs and AVs continue to advance, Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate motion sickness in vehicle environments considering more detailed driving contexts. Thus, this paper focuses on trends and findings related to methods, strategies, and theories for detecting, preventing, or mitigating motion sickness in vehicles. A total of 52 articles published within the last five years were reviewed to examine the overall trends in motion sickness measurement and evaluation. The results of this study are expected to provide a foundation for the development of motion sickness prevention and mitigation functions, thereby improving the driving experience for users by making it safer and more comfortable.