Vehicle Sector Research Articles

Scenarios and opportunities in the sugar and ethanol industry - challenges and opportunities towards a low carbon economy in Brazil

With the future of transport embracing new models of mobility, hybridization and electrification, a reduction in fossil fuel consumption is expected. Biofuels, especially biomass-derived ethanol, play a significant role in this transition by boosting greenhouse gas emissions. Ethanol production is considered strategic by industrialized countries, coming from renewable biomass in the energy sector. Studies have explored the contribution of biofuels to the decarbonization of the vehicle transport sector at levels from 2030 to 2050. However, the future energy matrix remains uncertain, with the potential coexistence of multiple matrices and technologies. This research evaluates Brazil's position in these scenarios, considering the challenges and risks to achieve a sustainable energy matrix in the transport sector. The methodology involves the analysis of decarbonization scenarios, methods and concepts, examining scenarios projected for the future of the light vehicle sector in the main consumer countries. In addition, the research discusses Brazil's role in biofuels and transport scenarios, with a focus on Brazilian ethanol in the global bioeconomy by 2050. The challenge of decarbonization in the transport sector is global and highlights the importance of Brazil as the second largest producer of bioethanol, after the US.

Reducing CO2 Emissions of Hybrid Heavy-Duty Trucks and Buses: Paving the Transition to Low-Carbon Transport

This study investigates the CO2 reduction potential of powertrain hybridisation on heavy-duty lorries and city buses. The analysis considers modern parallel and serial hybrid architectures, assessing their efficiency and limits in CO2 emission reduction through vehicle simulation in VECTO, which is the official tool of the European Commission for calculating heavy-duty vehicle fuel and energy consumption. The results reveal distinct trends for each vehicle type and architecture. In lorries, more significant improvements are observed in urban delivery profiles, reaching up to ~16%, indicating the benefits of hybridisation in transient conditions with energy recuperation opportunities. City buses, particularly those with serial architectures, exhibit significant emission reductions that reach 36%, making them suitable for urban environments. The optimisation of electric motor size and performance plays a crucial role in achieving emission reductions, while battery capacity must be carefully considered to avoid adverse effects. For lorries in urban delivery use, further improvements of 17.5% can be achieved by utilising a 160 kW engine motor and 30 kWh battery. Buses are already quite well optimised, with serial architecture presenting the highest benefits with a 120 kW electric motor and a battery of 11 kWh. Future research should focus on supercapacitors and gearboxes to improve efficiency at higher vehicle speeds and assess hybridisation potential in interurban coach travel. The heavy-duty vehicle sector can make significant strides towards low-carbon transport by maximising hybrid powertrain efficiency and emission reductions.

Circular economy strategies for permanent magnet motors in electric vehicles: Application of SWOT

The transition towards a circular economy (CE) has become crucial across industries, including the electric vehicle (EV) sector. With the rising demand for EVs and sustainable transportation, automotive manufacturers are challenged to establish CE practices for EVs, specifically concerning permanent magnet (PM) motors. This study identified and examined circular scenarios within the PM motor industry to address this challenge and provided planning strategies for PM motor recycling. The study adopted a two-stage research design, including exploration and evaluation phases and a SWOT analysis. The exploration phase contained two workshops to conceptualize the circular scenarios and explore different factors for SWOT analysis. In the evaluation phase, the weight and importance of each SWOT factor were defined using an expert-based ranking method. Among the key contributions, the study identified circular scenarios involving repurposing, reusing, and recycling within the EV sector. Secondly, the study discovered a wide range of internal and external factors influencing the successful recycling of PM motors. Thirdly, the study evaluated the recycling of PM motors by analyzing experts’ perceptions towards this scenario. Based on the findings, the study develops strategic strategies to help automotive companies transition to CE.

Exploring Multi-Level User Perceived Quality through Dependency Syntax Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering

The vast and unstructured data on social media platforms offer insights into user-perceived quality, presenting a novel avenue for new energy vehicle companies to analyze product quality. In response, this study introduces a methodology that integrates dependency syntactic parsing with hierarchical clustering to derive multi-level insights on user-perceived quality. Initially, we employ dependency syntactic parsing and part-of-speech tagging to identify compound noun phrases within comments. These phrases serve as a specialized out-of-vocabulary library pertinent to the new energy vehicle sector, from which a selection of words is chosen as potential evaluation metrics. Subsequently, we utilize Word2Vec to develop word vectors from automotive forum corpora. Leveraging these word vectors and the identified evaluation metrics, a hierarchical clustering algorithm is then applied to establish a comprehensive three-level user-perceived quality indicator system. Experimental validation conducted on forum comment data from BYD’s new energy vehicles confirms the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The user-perceived quality extraction method delineated in this research aids automotive firms in pinpointing areas of user interest, thereby substantially enhancing user loyalty and satisfaction.

Life cycle carbon emissions of China's passenger vehicle sector: a fleet-based study

The passenger vehicle sector has been identified as a major contributor to carbon emissions in China. Accurately estimating carbon emissions is crucial, particularly in light of China's ambitious goal to reach its carbon emissions peak by 2030. Previous life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on single-passenger vehicles rarely consider technological advancements to accurately predict future carbon emissions in the entire fleet. As such, a fleet-based life cycle approach that integrates input-output-based hybrid LCA (IOH-LCA) and system dynamics is proposed to simulate the evolution of carbon emissions in the passenger vehicle sector from 2016 to 2035. This method captures the complex changes in the sets of vehicles produced for sale, in use, and disposed of over time, as well as the multiple time-dependent technological advancements. A scenario analysis is constructed to analyze carbon emissions in alignment with the commitment to achieving the carbon emissions peak by 2030. The results indicate that, in a positive scenario with the combined advancement of multiple technologies, the passenger vehicle sector will be able to peak carbon emissions before 2030. This study could provide support for policymaking regarding carbon reduction in China's electrification of passenger vehicles.

The cost of aggressive electrification targets – Who bears the burden without mitigating policies?

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, governments worldwide have set aggressive targets for a transition from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to electric vehicles (EVs). Considering California’s electrification goals for the light-duty vehicle sector as a case study, we estimate the economic cost of achieving aggressive electrification targets based on total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis. When TCO estimates incorporate both technology costs and relevant household factors (income, fleet size, dwelling type), EVs reach cost parity with ICEVs for most consumer segments in the next decade, around 2032 or later. However, the share of households with cost benefits or consumer surplus from the EV transition does not reach 100% even by 2035 without mitigating policies and the benefits and loss from EV adoption vary across sociodemographic groups over the transition period. Before 2030, high-income (middle-income) households bear an average of 35% (59%) of the $2.8 billion transition cost; and after 2030 out of the total 2 billion transition cost incurred in this period low-income households incur an average 41% of the loss. These findings highlight the long-term need for mitigating policies like monetary incentives to achieve aggressive electrification targets even if TCO parity is achieved at the vehicle-level and the temporal distribution of the household segments that will need these policies to transition to EVs.

한국 자동차산업의 특허 출원과 가격 차별화가 산업내무역에 미치는 영향

This study examines the impact of patent applications and price discrimination on intra-industry trade in the automotive industry across 45 countries, encompassing Korea and OECD members. To address this, 237 items, classified by the customs office under the HS code at the 6-digit level, were categorized into vehicles, electrical and electronic, and other categories. Panel fixed-effects and random-effects models were employed. The findings suggest that patent applications in the vehicles sector exert a negligible influence on intra-industry trade. Conversely, the electrical and electronic sector, gaining prominence due to the proliferation of trends in autonomous driving and electrification, demonstrates a positive effect on intra-industry trade. This is attributed to the growing global demand for Korean products and the expanded use of imported goods at a level equivalent to domestic products to satisfy the diverse demands of domestic customers. To sustain and enhance competitiveness in the electrical and electronic sector, a concerted effort is essential, encompassing not only corporate-level strategic decisions but also governmental policy endeavors, including legal and regulatory reforms and the establishment of integrated governance systems.

The Impact of The Electric Vehicle Industry in China and Russia on Their Existing Markets

In recent years, the electric vehicle (EV) sector has experienced swift advancement, captured substantial attention and showcased promising developmental prospects. This research endeavors to undertake a comprehensive comparative and analytical study of the influence exerted by the EV industry on the markets of China and Russia. It does so by evaluating various dimensions: geographical resource disparities, divergent national policies, and the societal awareness prevalent in both nations. The examination encompasses insights from both domestic and international perspectives, facilitating a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter. Ultimately, this paper aims to distill the myriad findings into a cohesive narrative, summarizing the future trajectories, potential growth avenues, and overarching directions that the EV industry is poised to undertake within the unique contexts of China and Russia. Through this holistic exploration, we aspire to offer valuable insights into the evolving landscape of electric vehicles within these two distinctive markets.

Employment Promotion in China's Green Industry Development

This study is centered around the intricate interplay between the evolution of China's green industry and its pivotal role in fostering employment opportunities. Against the backdrop of the green sector's rapid growth juxtaposed with overarching economic challenges, understanding the employment-enhancing potential of the green industry holds paramount importance. This paper critically examines the existing employment landscape within China's green industry and the associated challenges it grapples with. Moreover, it meticulously dissects the catalysts driving the green industry's employment-promoting prowess, spotlighting instances such as the new energy vehicle sector and waste separation industry. Conclusively, the study presents a repertoire of affirmative policy recommendations poised to further fortify the symbiotic relationship between green industry expansion and robust employment generation. By shedding light on the symbiotic relationship between green industry growth and substantial job creation, this research contributes to the discourse on sustainable economic development. As China navigates the dynamic landscape of environmental concerns and economic progress, recognizing the capacity of the green industry to drive employment becomes pivotal. By examining the successes and challenges faced by sectors like new energy vehicles and waste separation, this study underscores the need for strategic policies that bolster employment opportunities. Ultimately, these insights offer a roadmap for policymakers and stakeholders to harness the full potential of the green industry in nurturing a resilient economy while addressing environmental imperatives.

Revolutionizing The Automotive Industry: Tesla's Innovative Marketing Strategies in The Face of Changes

In the current era that prioritizes low carbon emissions, Tesla has emerged as a dominant player in the electric vehicle market, defying challenges and odds through its unwavering commitment to sustainability. This study delves into the intricate web of marketing strategies deployed by Tesla, a pioneering force in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle sector. Against the backdrop of varying circumstances, including shifts in national policies, market dynamics, supply and demand, and technical advancements, Tesla has adeptly navigated its course. The focal points of these strategies encompass pricing adjustments, strategic advertising campaigns, continuous technological innovation, and strategic partnerships recalibrations. Tesla's discerning choices in these diverse scenarios have been instrumental in sustaining and augmenting its market performance. By adroitly adapting its approach, the company has managed to maintain a formidable competitive edge. This paper intricately examines the ramifications of Tesla's multifaceted marketing strategies on its performance, elucidating how these decisions have influenced its growth trajectory. The study also ventures to forecast Tesla's future growth trajectory. Given the company's successful track record in maneuvering within the dynamic electric vehicle landscape, informed insights are gleaned into the avenues that may drive Tesla's continued expansion and influence. By fusing comprehensive analyses of the strategies undertaken, this research aims to offer valuable insights into the symbiotic relationship between strategic marketing decisions and Tesla's remarkable success in the current market.

Comparative Analysis of Operational Advantages and Disadvantages Between Conventional Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles and Electric Vehicles based on Tesla

The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative phase driven by concerns over environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and technological advancements. In this context, the shift from conventional internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) has emerged as a focal point. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of operational pros and cons between conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles, using Tesla as a case study. This paper undertakes a comprehensive comparative analysis of financial and operational aspects among leading automotive companies: Tesla, Volkswagen, and Toyota. This comparative exploration highlights the transformative potential of the new energy vehicle sector.

A total cost of ownership analysis of zero emission powertrain solutions for the heavy goods vehicle sector

Transport-related activities represented 34% of the total carbon emissions in the UK in 2022 and heavy-duty vehicles (HGVs) accounted for one-fifth of the road transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Currently, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are considered as suitable replacements for diesel fleets. However, these technologies continue to face techno-economic barriers, creating uncertainty for fleet operators wanting to transition away from diesel-powered internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). This paper assesses the performance and cost competitiveness of BEV and FCEV powertrain solutions in the hard-to-abate HGV sector. The study evaluates the impact of battery degradation and a carbon tax on the cost of owning the vehicles. An integrated total cost of ownership (TCO) model, which includes these factors for the first time, is developed to study a large retailer's HGV fleet operating in the UK. The modelling framework compares the capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operating expenses (OPEX) of alternative technologies against ICEVs. The TCO of BEVs and FCEVs are 11% to 33% and 37% to 78% higher than ICEVs; respectively. Despite these differences, by adopting a longer lifetime for the vehicle it can effectively narrow the cost gap. Alternatively, cost parity with ICEVs could be achieved if BEV battery cost reduces by 56% or if FCEV fuel cell cost reduces by 60%. Besides, the pivot point for hydrogen price is determined at £2.5 per kg. The findings suggest that BEV is closer to market as its TCO value is becoming competitive, whereas FCEV provides a more viable solution than BEV for long-haul applications due to shorter refuelling time and lower load capacity penalties. Furthermore, degradation of performance in lithium-ion batteries is found to have a minor impact on TCO if battery replacement is not required. However, critical component replacement and warranty can influence commercial viability. Given the high costs, we propose financial incentives and vehicle tax reforms to reduce costs of critical components that will encourage the roll-out of zero emission HGVs.

Economic analysis and TOPSIS approach to optimize the CI engine characteristics using span 80 mixed carbon nanotubes emulsified Sapindus trifoliatus (soapnut) biodiesel by artificial neural network prediction model

The rise in fuel use within the vehicle sector leads to a corresponding escalation in energy demand. To achieve optimal operating conditions, it is necessary to reduce energy usage. For that, the primary objective of this study is to utilize an artificial neural network (ANN) and the optimization approach as a technique for order performance by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) to forecast the optimal features of a compression ignition (CI) engine. The experiment was performed with a four-stroke mono-cylinder compression ignition (CI) engine under different load situations. The study considers six operational parameters, including brake thermal efficiency (BTE), specific fuel consumption (SFC), as well as emission characteristics including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), and smoke. From the ANN results, the correlation coefficients for BTE, SFC NOx, smoke, HC, and CO were 0.9712, 0.9862, 0.964, 0.941, 0.998, and 0.978, respectively. The SNBD25 + 30 mg/L SP80 + 30 mg/L CNT blend exhibited the maximum closeness coefficient under various load conditions. The maximum closeness coefficient obtained from the TOPSIS optimisation approach under full load conditions is 0.982386. From the result of the ANN prediction technique, for TOPSIS optimised blend SNBD25 + 30 mg/L SP80 + 30 mg/L CNT a 13.84% increase in BTE, 11.21% decrease in SFC, 16.67% decrease in CO, 13.87% decrease in NOx, 19.23% decrease in HC, and 32.53% decrease in smoke. Based on the outcomes obtained from the ANN and TOPSIS methodologies, it can be concluded that the SNBD25 + 30 mg/L SP80 + 30 mg/L CNT blend exhibits superior performance in terms of reduced NOx emissions and enhanced efficiency, surpassing the other blends under consideration. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a system leads to an increase in the carbon-to‑oxygen ratio, resulting in a reduction in the generation of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The cost of a mixture consisting of SNBD25 + 30 mg/L SP80 + 30 mg/L blend is 20% lower than the cost of diesel on a per-litre basis.

Assessing the investment viability of Indonesia's upstream electric vehicle (EV) sector stocks amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Amidst the global push for sustainability, the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) industry has driven increased demand for batteries, placing the Indonesian nickel ore sector in a pivotal position due to its vast reserves. This study thoroughly examines the investment landscape of this sector, utilizing advanced portfolio optimization techniques to analyze four major nickel ore mine firms in Indonesia. Through Monte Carlo simulations, the study evaluates the optimal portfolios of risky assets, comparing their performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings reveal a significant shift in portfolio composition during the Pandemic, reflecting investors' response to global disruptions by diversifying their holdings. Notably, the Sharpe Ratio, a risk-adjusted return measure, demonstrates an impressive increase in return relative to risk during the Pandemic, emphasizing the sector's resilience and attractiveness for investment, especially in times of economic uncertainty like the COVID-19 pandemic. The transformation in portfolio weights and the corresponding increase in risk-adjusted returns highlight the sector’s potential as a lucrative investment avenue, especially during periods of global economic uncertainty like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Experimental Investigation on Affecting Air Flow against the Maximum Temperature Difference of a Lithium-Ion Battery with Heat Pipe Cooling

Research on battery thermal management systems (BTMSs) is particularly significant since the electric vehicle sector is growing in importance and because the batteries that power them have high operating temperature requirements. Among them, heat pipe (HP)-based battery thermal management systems have very high heat transfer performance but fall short in maintaining uniform temperature distribution. This study presented forced air cooling by an axial fan as a method of improving the cooling performance of flat heat pipes coupled with aluminum fins (FHPAFs) and investigated the impact of air velocity on the battery pack’s maximum temperature differential (ΔTmax). All experiments were conducted on lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) pouch battery cells with a 20 Ah capacity in seven series connections at room temperature, under forced and natural convection, at various air velocity values (12.7 m/s, 9.5 m/s, and 6.3 m/s), and with 1C, 2C, 3C, and 4C discharge rates. The results indicated that at the same air velocity, increasing the discharge rate increases the ΔTmax significantly. Forced convection has a higher ΔTmax than natural convection. The ΔTmax was reduced when the air velocity was increased during forced convection.

Design and Analysis of a Buck-Boost Converter for a Photovoltaic Electric Vehicle System

The Electric Vehicle (EV) sector uses rechargeable batteries to power up their vehicles. However, these batteries are made from resources that are quickly depleting. To solve this issue the use of renewable energy sources is crucial. Along with that, systems that boost the existing voltage are necessary to save space and energy resources. This study proposes systems that will help power up the EV using Photo Voltaic (PV) solutions. Firstly, buck, boost and buck-boost converters are designed to fulfil the industry requirements of EV applications. The varying voltage (8V-18V) from the solar panel is converted to a steady voltage source (12V) using a buck-boost converter. This is used to charge the 12V LiFePo4 battery. Using a buck converter, the 12V source is converted to 5V to power the car’s dashboard. The boost converter is used to convert 120V to 420V which powers the car. The buck-boost converter uses a closed loop PI control system. This increases its efficiency significantly. The buck and boost converters are simulated and analyzed in LT Spice while the buck-boost converter is simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK. The power efficiencies of the buck, boost and buck-boost converters are over 96%.

Assessing the cost-effectiveness of carbon neutrality for light-duty vehicle sector in China

China's progress in decarbonizing its transportation, particularly vehicle electrification, is notable. However, the economically effective pathways are underexplored. To find out how much cost is necessary for carbon neutrality for the light-duty vehicle (LDV) sector, this study examines twenty decarbonization pathways, combining the New Energy and Oil Consumption Credit model and the China-Fleet model. We find that the 2060 zero-greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goal for LDVs is achievable via electrification if the battery pack cost is under CNY483/kWh by 2050. However, an extra of CNY8.86 trillion internal subsidies is needed under pessimistic battery cost scenarios (CNY759/kWh in 2050) to eliminate 246 million tonnes of CO2-eq by 2050 ensuring over 80% market penetration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2050. Moreover, the promotion of fuel cell electric vehicles is synergy with BEVs to mitigate the carbon abatement difficulties, decreasing up to 34% of the maximum marginal abatement internal investment.

Practising future‐making: Anticipation and translocal politics of Tesla's Gigafactory in Shanghai as assemblage

AbstractHuman geographers are increasingly concerned with how ‘futures’ are imagined and rendered governable, yet mostly their methods lack the sensitivity to explore the functioning of complex relations between heterogeneous actors across places. The world's electric vehicle (EV) sector is booming, presaging a widely expected decarbonised future, associated with a restructuring of the automobile industry as anticipated by proactive players. This paper interrogates the spatiality and politics of the EV future‐making through disentangling the translocal practices involved in realising Tesla's Gigafactory in Shanghai (TGS) as assemblage. Informed by interviews with industrial insiders and opensource information in Chinese and English, the article finds that, first, TGS's imagined future embodies a multiplicity of interdependent but divergent expectations, the coherence of which underlies the formation and operation of the TGS assemblage by virtue of the concerted actions of its member‐actors. Second, such coherence is conditional as designed by TGS's central planners—namely, Tesla and Chinese government agencies at central and local levels—for their differentiated but overlapping interests. The TGS's imagined future is rendered actionable, enrolling other agents at certain moments, through anticipatory practices of regulatory changes, strategic arrangements interweaving land and financing, firm acquisition and intra‐firm reorganisation linking up places in and outside China, as well as the selection of key suppliers and technological use of critical raw materials. Concluding after a sketch on the TGS's ‘possible futures’ and broader implications, the paper contributes an assemblage‐informed approach to disentangle futuremaking practices and generates timely insights into the ‘future‐oriented’ restructuring of the automobile industry.

The semiotics of Kosovo’s streetscapes

Abstract Post-war Kosovo is characterised by strong transition processes, including in the car and service vehicle sector, and Germany, German culture, and the German language play a central role in these processes. The popularity of used vehicles imported from German-speaking countries has led to a change in the appearance of Kosovo’s streetscapes. These cars often carry signage or texts written in German and are very common in Kosovo. The spread of these cars is due both to the lower cost and to the high prestige of the German language and culture in Kosovo. Often the owners also keep the German number plates, as the registration of cars in Kosovo is not handled very strictly, or they retain the sticker that designates the country of origin of the vehicle, ‘D’ for Germany, ‘A’ for Austria and ‘CH’ for Switzerland. As a result, there is a strong German influence to be found across Kosovo’s streetscapes. Our article is dedicated to these particular semiotic landscapes on the basis of empirically collected photographic material. Data was collected outside the transmigrant season, i.e. outside the months around the turn of the year and the summer vacations, and the period of the lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic to avoid as far as possible non-residential German signs.

Science, Technology and Innovation Equity and Inclusion in Electric Vehicle Sector

The rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) industry offers a unique chance to ensure that technological progress benefits all of society. This research paper centers on developing indicators to assess and encourage equity and inclusion in EV science, technology, and innovation. By establishing a comprehensive framework, this study aims to track progress, pinpoint areas for enhancement, and contribute to a more just and innovative future. The paper emphasizes clear goals, including increased workforce diversity, equitable EV technology access for marginalized communities, and fostering an inclusive innovation ecosystem. Collaboration with diverse stakeholders researchers, policymakers, industry experts, community representatives, and advocacy groups is crucial for an unbiased perspective. Key areas within the EV sector are focal points for equity and inclusion efforts, such as workforce diversity, research funding distribution, technology accessibility, and community engagement. To measure progress, indicators are developed, incorporating qualitative aspects. Targets and benchmarks are set for each indicator to promote a challenging yet achievable path toward equity. Regular monitoring and reporting provide insights into intervention effectiveness, guided by stakeholder feedback and iteration. Acknowledging and celebrating equity and inclusion achievements motivate sustained progress. Knowledge sharing and community collaboration promote collective growth and better understanding of best practices. This research paper offers a comprehensive guide to developing indicators that assess and promote equity and inclusion in the EV science, technology, and innovation sectors. Applying these indicators and strategies enables stakeholders to contribute to a more just and innovative future, ensuring that technological benefits are accessible to all members of society.