European investment in green cars is all the rage!
Mercedes E-class BlueTec Hybrid
Without a doubt, the EU has become the leader in improving the pollution problem for the automotive sector. Recently the U.S. put in a 27.3 mpg average fleet requirement for 2011. Please see: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov for the latest information and the impact analysis. But is the change enough to get us on the right track? How exactly do carmakers implement changes in their fleet to address the higher requirements?
The European Union defines specific emissions targets for the following 5 years as the following:
The EU6 standard specifies maximum nitrogen oxide emissions that are less than half of those permitted by the current EU5 standard. The following is an overview of the current and future limits for diesel vehicles in the EU*:
EU 5 All new vehicles after 09/01/2009 EU 6 / All new vehicles after 09/01/2014
CO (g/km): 0.50 / 0.50
NOx (g/km): 0.18 / 0.08 HC + NOx (g/km): 0.23 / 0.17
Particulate emissions (g/km): 0.005 / 0.005
Group M1 – passenger vehicles with no more than eight seats plus driver. Max. total permissible weight 3,500kg. Test procedure NEDC 2000.
Impact Analysis can be found here.
Model year 2015 proposals peg passenger vehicle requirements to match 35.7 miles per gallon (see: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoHistReviewSearch). 2011 requirements for passenger cars only are 31.2 mpg as light trucks are given a huge break in the requirement (America loves it’s light trucks!!!).
This means that we need to see a 14% increase in fuel efficiency from 2011 to 2015 and a 29.8% increase in economy from 2004 to 2015 (Model year requirements for 2004 were 27.5 mpg for passenger cars).
So how are companies meeting this requirement? Well, they are starting with technology. This technology comes in the form of materials weight reduction and powertrain technology. Of the two, we will examine the powertrain technology changes, which in particular, focus on hybrid drive trains. The number of drive trains with rechargeable batteries is increasing significantly.
At the core of the problem for many automakers is the capital investment. Developing a new drive train, especially one that is radically new, as hybrid drives tend to be, is an expensive proposition. Earlier this month the European Investment Bank dropped US$1.2billion in loan guarantees for European automakers. Jaguar Land Rover received a US$499,000,000 loan on top of the US$37,000,000 grant given to them in March by the British government. In total, the EIB has loaned out over US$5,000,000,000 in loans since December 2008. At stake here are about 12 million European automotive jobs, a considerable sum, and arguably comparable to the US automotive industry in size.
So what are the manufacturers doing?
At the New York auto show last week, Mercedes announced the E-class hybrid diesel produced for the US market.
Specifics from Daimler include:
For the E250 BlueTEC, the modern 2.2 liter four-cylinder CDI engine underwent a detailed redevelopment program in order to further reduce the internal raw emissions generated by the engine and to fulfill the legislative requirements for on-board diagnostics (OBD), as well as other factors. The power unit hardware incorporates features from the series production engines, such as four-valve technology, fourth-generation common-rail piezo direct injection, 2-stage turbocharger and exhaust gas recirculation. A highly sensitive electronic engine control system reacts precisely across the full range of operating conditions to optimize the combustion process. The exhaust gas treatment system incorporates an oxidation catalytic converter mounted close to the engine, as well as a diesel particulate filter, which is located at the rear bulkhead in order to shorten its regeneration time.
At the heart of the BlueTEC system are two SCR catalytic converters (Selective Catalytic Reduction) with an “AdBlue®” injector positioned upstream. “AdBlue®” is a synthetic, aqueous urea solution that enables the nitrogen oxide (NOx) to be converted into harmless nitrogen gas in the SCR catalytic converters. The monitoring and diagnosis of the sophisticated exhaust gas treatment process is handled by several sensors, including a differential pressure sensor, a Lambda probe plus NOx and temperature sensors.
For on-board storage of the “AdBlue®” solution, the E250 BlueTEC has a 25 liter tank equipped with a membrane pump, valve, pressure and temperature sensors. The tank volume is sufficient for the duration of a full service interval and is refilled as part of the regular maintenance schedule. The “AdBlue®” tank is integrated into the spare wheel well in the trunk.
E250 BlueTEC combines environmental awareness, driving fun and comfort The combination of the powerful four-cylinder engine with SCR technology makes a convincing argument not only in terms of fuel economy and emissions, but also with impressive performance and the associated fun factor. Thanks to a pair of Lanchester balancing shafts, the concept vehicle’s powertrain boasts the exceptionally smooth characteristics expected of a Mercedes-Benz.
Summary technical data for the E250 BlueTEC:
Engine/cylinders – Diesel/I4 Transmission – 7-speed automatic Displacement – 2143 cm³ Nominal power output – 204 hp Nominal torque – 369 lb-ft at 1600-1800 r/min U.S. fuel economy* City Highway – 28 mpg 39 mpg U.S. emissions compliance – Bin 5 *preliminary figures
In Europe, this BlueTEC technology is available in a series production model starting fall 2009 with the E350 BlueTEC. Under its hood is a V6 diesel engine with 211 hp and 540 Nm of torque. This means that Mercedes-Benz will very soon offer a series production passenger vehicle that complies with the EU6 emissions standard not scheduled for implementation until 2014.
Meanwhile, Jaguar is launching a new hybrid car, the XJ. Jaguar plans to launch the first electric-drive luxury saloon, having received the aforementioned funding. The technology will be similar to that used in the upcoming Chevy Volt, the hot car of the moment in the United States.
Jaguar hopes to keep emissions under 120g/km with fuel economy of 57 mpg. Fellow British manufacturers and consultancies, including Caparo and Lotus will help to create the alloy chassis, thus lowering kerb weight. According to Jaguar, the aim is to reduce emissions by 25% by 2012. Another possibility would be a low displacement engine in the form of a 2.0-liter diesel.
Jaguar and Daimler/Mercedes are not the only carmakers to role out electric cars. Porsche announced recently that the new Panamera 4-door saloon will include a model with hybrid technology on par with the technology soon to be found in the previously announced Cayenne. BMW is in agreement to share hybrid technologies with Daimler, and has already launched a hybrid 7 series concept car.