Overview
European prosperity now and in the future depends on a strong and competitive transport sector. The long distance transport of goods and services is a significant direct and indirect contributor to European wealth, and its contribution and integration is steadily growing. At the same time the transport system of Europe faces significant challenges in order to become sustainable in the long term, and to decouple its significant, positive effects from its impact on the environment.
With the aim of addressing these challenges, the project CORE (CO2 REduction for long distance transport) is a collaborative large-scale integrating project for a call within FP7-SUSTAINABLE SURFACE TRANSPORT (SST)-2011-RTD-1. The project consortium consists of three truck manufactures in Europe, Volvo, Daimler and IVECO, together with 13 other partners in the automotive industry and universities.
The objective is to demonstrate a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions, 15% improved fuel efficiency compared to a EURO V engine, and at the same time fulfilling EURO VI emission legislation.
By using novel technology and by combining them in flexible engines with a high level of precise control, performance advantages will be achieved with improvements in emissions and fuel consumption.
The research will focus on efficient air management, combustion and control for the diesel engine, together with optimizing the power train layout utilizing electric hybridization, downsizing and electrification of auxiliaries and alternative fuels. Research to the after-treatment system is included to further improve the powertrain efficiency. This will be combined improvements to the base engine friction for developing highly efficient drivelines for long distance transports.
CORE is divided into five sub-projects, three that will focus on different engine technologies. These activities are supported by two cross divisional projects where friction reduction and improvements to the NOx after-treatment technologies are studied. The project results will be assessed by vehicle simulations. Results will be evaluated for legislation test cycles and in real life drive cycles. The project will demonstrate three diesel power trains and one natural gas truck.
Funding
Results
More efficient truck engines
An EU team has developed new, efficient, and low-emission truck engines. Testing showed a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution compared with EURO V designs.
Europe's economy depends on a reliable transportation system. Yet, the sector is a significant greenhouse polluter, requiring technological upgrades to improve efficiency and protect the environment.
The EU-funded http://www.co2re.eu (CORE) (CO2 reduction for long distance transport) project developed and tested such new technologies. Focusing on heavy-duty vehicle powertrains, the consortium developed technologies that contribute to a reduction in emissions. The developments are expected to lower fuel consumption by up to 15 % compared with current EURO V engines. Such performance would fall within EURO VI emission legislative limits.
Engine development focused on turbocharger systems, variable valve actuation, reduced friction and low-temperature after-treatment. The team also considered the potential of hybridisation and the use of natural gas as a fuel.
Researchers developed, redesigned and tested all components and control strategies. Testing showed improvements in fuel efficiency. A EURO VI engine demonstrated a 13 % reduction in CO2 emissions compared with a EURO V engine.
Simulations showed four different powertrain concepts that reduced CO2 levels in the 11-18 % range.
The CORE project's success offers an achievable pathway to lowered CO2 emissions for long-haul applications. This will benefit both European businesses and the environment.