Fuelcons

November 5, 2023November 12, 2023

Dataset: 2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 R6 vs. 2012 Toyota Yaris Hybrid fuel consumption

Sven Mahler

Fuelcons | Real world fuel consumption data and analysis | www.fuelcons.com | Mahler@fuelcons.com

This dataset is the basis of the article titled “Comparison of 2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 R6 and 2012 Toyota Yaris Hybrid fuel consumption under economic driving conditions”, published on Fuelcons on February 1, 2020. The dataset contains some additional information and is free for download for further research/use.

November 1, 2023November 11, 2023

Cradle-to-Grave Lifecycle Environmental Assessment of Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Rashid and Pagone. Sustainability. 2023; 15: 11027 | Highlighted on Fuelcons

The rising demand for eco-friendly transportation has accelerated the adoption of electrified powertrains. While hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) emit fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs) during usage compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), comprehensive insights into their entire environmental footprint remain limited. In the present study, Rashid and Pagone conducted a cradle-to-grave lifecycle analysis (LCA) on a Toyota Prius XW50, both as an HEV and PHEV, using recognized lifecycle inventory databases.

November 1, 2023November 11, 2023

On-Board Fuel Consumption Meter Field Testing Results

Tapak et al. Energies. 2023; 16: 6861 | Highlighted on Fuelcons

As per Regulation (EU) 2021/392, from 2021 onwards, every new passenger car registered in the EU must be equipped with an on-board fuel and/or energy consumption monitoring (OBFCM) device. The corresponding data can be sourced directly from the vehicle or acquired during maintenance and repair sessions. This study by Tapak et al. summarizes fuel consumption data obtained from OBFCMs through comprehensive field testing across all Periodic Technical Inspections (PTI) stations in the Slovak Republic from August 2022 to April 2023.

October 4, 2023November 11, 2023

The current status of hydrogen energy: an overview

Le et al. RSC Adv. 2023; 13: 28262 | Highlighted on Fuelcons

This review by Le et al. delves into the evolving landscape of hydrogen energy. Over the past decade, there has been a significant shift away from traditional fossil fuels like coal and gas. Renewable energy sources, including hydrogen, are emerging as the future of energy supply. The article highlights that while most hydrogen today is derived from fossil fuels, there is a growing emphasis on producing “green hydrogen” from renewable sources.

September 29, 2023November 11, 2023

Snapshot: effect of tire pressure on rolling resistance

metrompg.com series | Highlighted on Fuelcons

In this further post published on metrompg.com, the impact of tire pressure on rolling resistance was assessed using two different vehicles: a 1998 Pontiac Firefly (Geo Metro) and a 1999 Toyota Camry. The experiments were conducted on a paved slope with flat run-out. The methodology involved inflating the tires to different pressures (20 PSI [1.38 bar] to 60 PSI [4.14 bar]) and then letting the cars coast down the slope with engine off, transmission in neutral, and brakes released. Distances to marked “stop points” were measured using a distance measuring wheel (some kind of).

September 25, 2023November 11, 2023

Reflections on side mirrors: testing drag vs. MPG

metrompg.com series | Highlighted on Fuelcons

This experiment, which was published on metrompg.com, aimed to explore the influence of side mirrors on a vehicle’s drag and fuel efficiency. The motivation behind this study stemmed from the adoption of video cameras instead of conventional side mirrors in high-efficiency concept cars, leading to a desire to ascertain whether such alterations yielded tangible advantages. The investigation was carried out using a “Blackfly,” essentially a black Pontiac Firefly, wherein the stock non-folding driver’s side mirror was replaced with a folding mirror from a 1993 Suzuki Swift 3-door, featuring an aerodynamically optimized hinge.

September 24, 2023November 11, 2023

Golden hydrogen

Lubbe et al. Curr. Opin. Green Sustain. Chem. 2023; 39: 100732 | Highlighted on Fuelcons

Hydrogen is a colorless compound to which symbolic colors are attributed to classify it according to the resources used in production, production processes, such as electrolysis, and energy vectors, such as solar radiation. Green hydrogen is produced mainly by electrolysis of water using renewable electricity from an electricity grid powered by wind, geothermal, solar or hydroelectric power plants. For grid-powered electrolyzers the tendency is to go larger to reach the gigawatt-scale. An evolution in the opposite direction is the integration of the photophysics of sunlight harvesting and the electrochemistry of water molecule splitting in solar hydrogen generator units, with each unit working at kilowatt-scale, or less. This review article by Lubbe et al. proposes the category “golden hydrogen”, which is produced in such dedicated solar hydrogen generators.

September 3, 2023November 11, 2023

Testing grille blocking & wheel skirts: +5.7% improvement

metrompg.com series | Highlighted on Fuelcons

This further experiment published on metrompg.com delves into a DIY aerodynamics experiment conducted on a Pontiac Firefly (like the Geo Metro a variation of the Suzuki Cultus), aimed at enhancing its fuel efficiency. The author drew inspiration from Phil Knox, who achieved an impressive 28% increase in highway mileage by implementing aerodynamic modifications on his 1994 Toyota T-100 pickup.

The two modifications put to the test were a grille block and rear wheel skirts, both crafted from readily available materials.

September 2, 2023November 11, 2023

Real-world usage of plug-in hybrid vehicles

ICCT | Highlighted on Fuelcons

The actual impact of plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles (PHEV and BEV) on greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation depends on their real-world usage. PHEVs, with their smaller batteries compared to BEVs, which implies lower emissions during vehicle production, can contribute to GHG emission reduction. However, their overall environmental impact hinges on efficient operation and the Utility Factor (UF), quantifying the electric distance fraction. Accordingly, fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions of PHEVs are correlated with operating environments (e.g. private vs. company cars) and charging frequency. Two white papers from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) recently delved into PHEV real-world usage in Europe and the US, addressing the divergence between real-world and type-approval (WLTP/EPA) fuel consumption.

September 2, 2023November 11, 2023

Research on the Effect of Road Height Profile on Fuel Consumption during Vehicle Acceleration

Hanzl et al. Technologies. 2022; 10: 128 | Highlighted on Fuelcons

This article by Hanzl et al. addresses research on vehicle fuel consumption during acceleration and how road profiles affect it. The research specifically examined how road height profiles impact fuel consumption during acceleration, focusing on a 30-meter stretch of flat and downhill (-8.5%) surfaces. The study involved 20 acceleration tests on each type of road using a Kia Ceed vehicle. The results showed that fuel consumption during downhill acceleration was 31.4% lower compared to flat surface acceleration.