The increasing concern over emission pollutants that is related to the transportation sector has prompted rigorous environmental legislation in the USA and Europe. The zero emission vehicle solution based on battery technology, althoughattractive, appears to require step improvements in technology not realisable in the short term. The alternative, hybrid electric vehicle, is presently gaming support, with many attractive examples being made available in the market for the passengervehicle application. The present contribution describes a newly formed project sponsored by the European Community (Brite-EuRam DG12 programme). The Ultra Low imission Vehicle -Transport using Advanced Propulsion (ULEV-TAP) commenced in August 97, andalms to demonstrate a hybrid powertrain based on a turbogenerator (high speed generator directly coupled to a gas turbine engine) prime mover and a flywheel energy storage unit. The demonstration vehicle is to be a regional rail vehicle operating in thecity of Karlsruhe.
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