Overview
Passenger cars are particularly suitable for the use of hybrid propulsion technology due to the large spread in engine outputs. In addition, a significant reduction in fuel consumption is desirable. Furthermore, low pollutant emissions are attainable with this technology.
The HRS project dealt with a comprehensive analytical comparison of hybrid drive systems of passenger cars. The simulated models have been validated by Real-world measurements.
For this purpose, a preliminary market study was conducted: The different hybrid propulsion technologies which are already in use or in a development status were explored and assessed regarding their market potential. This was followed by the parameterization of existing, detailed Matlab Simulink models for the main variants of the hybrid propulsion technology, under special consideration of the electric motor components. In the study, hybrid drive variants with gasoline and diesel engines, plug-in concepts, and a fuel cell vehicle were compared with an average vehicle with conventional powertrain.
Funding
Results
The energy consumption of hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, based on the Austrian use of primary energy, tends to be better than the conventional reference vehicle. Plug-in hybrid vehicles show higher energy consumption due to various transmission and charging losses and higher vehicle weight.
Finally, the effects of different powertrain technologies (of different manufacturers) on the “technology site Austria” were investigated in the study. A final business case for the partial conversion of an average taxi fleet to hybrid propulsion technology shows that the high cost of hybrid vehicles can not be recouped by the savings of fuel costs at the present time.
Findings of the study are published in detail by a final report (German only) which is available online via the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT): www2.ffg.at/verkehr/file.php?id=251