article thumbnail

Simulation study suggests ORC waste heat recovery system could deliver potential 7% improvement in fuel consumption in a PHEV on highway

Green Car Congress

Internal combustion engines have been significantly improving in the past decade, after the adoption of technologies such as Gasoline Direct Injection, mild electrification, downsizing and turbocharging. The OSU EcoCAR prototype vehicle features an extended-range electric architecture with a downsized 1.8L

Waste 312
article thumbnail

Update on DOE Co-Optima project to co-optimize fuels & engines; goal of 30% per vehicle reduction in petroleum

Green Car Congress

Thrust 1 builds on the significant amount of work carried out over the past several decades, focused on building advanced boosted, downsized, and downspeeded spark ignition engines. Co-Optima is definitely not seeking to develop new conversion pathways, but is relying on what has already been done.

Engine 150
article thumbnail

Using the PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) to Transition Society Seamlessly and Profitably From Fossil Fuel to 100% Renewable Energy

Green Car Congress

In fact, the optimized PHEV is much more efficient as a long range liquid fuel vehicle, because the engine is downsized. While this may be a problem for a blind pedestrian who cannot hear an approaching car, truck or bus, it is a welcome convenience for deaf passengers who normally have difficulty participating in conversation.

PHEV 150
article thumbnail

How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

Several after-market companies have done PHEV conversions of the Ford Escape hybrid and one has done a retrofit of the F-150 pickup -- see Where PHEVs Are and ICE-Conversions.) General Motors Chevy Volt series PHEV, which it calls "extended range electric vehicle" (EREV), part of "E-Flex" multi-fuel platform.

Plug-in 45