INTERIORS REGULATIONS: Climate control engineers face new CAFE test

摘要

Automotive climate control engineers are working to wring increased efficiency not only from the refrigeration system, but from every peripheral too. Yes, there are CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) credits that can be claimed for specific engineering features from a U.S. EPA menu, but cars and light trucks will have to earn them by passing a new EPA validation test: AC17. And with the industry facing regulatory dictates for electric drive vehicles (EVs) from California and some northeastern states, reducing the detrimental effect that climate control operation can have on vehicle range may be equally critical.