Shaping the Future - Innovations for Efficient Mobility

摘要

The CO_2 emissions targets that have been planned for 2015 and 2020 will require considerable technological progress. In a comprehensive analysis based on the best in class vehicles of 2012, possible ways forward are presented for subcompact, compact, and large/SUV vehicles. In the subcompact class, both spark-ignition and diesel powertrains will achieve the CO_2 target for 2020. They will do so without any electrification apart from start-stop systems, which are already in the market. In the compact class, measures to optimize the engine will bring spark-ignition engines' emissions down to the region of 95 grams per kilometer (g/km). To further reduce CO_2 and improve comfort, entry-level hybrid features such as the BRS boost recuperation system are available. Diesel engines will easily achieve the 95 g/km target without any electrification. These best-in-class vehicles, with the best CO_2-to-weight ratio, serve to offset heavier or more powerful vehicles, and thus help automakers reach the average fleet emission targets for CO_2. Optimization of the internal-combustion engine alone will not be enough to achieve the 2020 target for large vehicles and SUVs. Apart from additional modifications to these vehicles (such as the reduction of rolling resistance and/or weight), more extensive electrification will be absolutely necessary. But even for these powertrains, plug-in hybrid systems allow very low CO_2 emissions to be achieved. Due to electrification, however, higher additional costs have to be expected in this vehicle class. The combination of good CO_2 footprint with comparatively low additional costs is an opportunity for CNG powertrains to expand their market share over the next few years. However, success will depend on whether the additional costs that exist today can be reduced by economies of scale, and whether the infrastructure that is needed can be expanded significantly.