SAE Online Poll: Lightweight materials to most benefit heavy vehicles for upcoming regs
Lightweight materials will make the greatest impact in helping medium- and heavy-duty trucks achieve upcoming greenhouse gas/fuel efficiency regulations, according to respondents to an online poll posted on SAE Off-Highway Engineering Online and Automotive Engineering International Online for two weeks in late November and early December. Lightweight materials were chosen by about 42% of the 64 respondents, hailing from 15 nations.
Automatic engine shutdown (idle reduction) came in second with nearly 22% of the vote, followed by design optimization (17%), aerodynamics (11%), and intelligent electronics (e.g., predictive cruise control) at almost 8%. Low rolling resistance tires did not receive a vote.
Half (32) of the respondents were from the U.S., who likewise selected lightweight materials as the most beneficial technology area at 37.5%. Design optimization and automatic engine shutdown swapped places compared to the overall vote, with 22% and 19%, respectively. Aerodynamics received nearly 16% of the U.S. vote, and intelligent electronics received just over 6%.
India had the second most respondents with 8, and Canada was third with 5. Countries posting a single vote included Pakistan (for design optimization), Singapore (lightweight materials), Malaysia (intelligent electronics), and Sri Lanka (automatic engine shutdown).
Check out our magazine websites often to respond to new poll questions posted by the editors, and feel free to suggest possible poll topics at sohe@sae.org or aei@sae.org.
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Voting results for the poll question: “Which technology area will make the greatest impact in achieving upcoming greenhouse gas/fuel efficiency regulations for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles?”
All passenger vehicles to be equipped with black boxes under NHTSA rule
Although about 96% of today's passenger vehicles already are equipped with black boxes (formally called event data recorders, or EDRs), NHTSA (U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) is proposing to require their fitment to all new light passenger vehicles of less than 8500 lb. The rule would take effect Sept. 1, 2014. Information collected would pertain to vehicle speed, braking, crash force, engine throttle, airbag deployment, and seatbelt usage. The proposal includes the same standardized data-collection requirements established by NHTSA in 2006 for EDRs that are voluntarily installed by automakers and mandates that automakers provide a commercially available tool for copying the data. In keeping with NHTSA's current policies on EDR data, the EDR data would be treated by NHTSA as the property of the vehicle owner and would not be used or accessed by the agency without owner consent. The agency expects the rule, if adopted, to cost automakers $20 per vehicle. It will accept public feedback on its proposal for the next two months at http://www.regulations.gov.
SAE International seeks input on CO2 as a referigerant
In response to a recent press statement from Germany that CO2 is the "right" automotive air-conditioning refrigerant, SAE International President Frank O. Klegon invites all automobile manufacturers to join in an industry collaborative effort to fully evaluate CO2 in such use. He said SAE International has unquestioned expertise in the research, analysis, and application of a variety of automotive refrigerants. In the past decade, more than 10 major SAE Cooperative Research Program (CRP) projects have provided forums for subject matter experts from around the industry to meet, discuss, and agree on advantages and disadvantages of various alternative refrigerants, as well as the management of accompanying risks. "The implementation of CO2 as an automotive refrigerant is not without technical challenges," said Klegon. The U.S. EPA has published its concerns regarding the use of CO2 as a mobile air conditioning refrigerant for passenger cars. The full EPA report can be accessed here. OEMs wishing to join a new SAE CRP to further investigate CO2 should contact Gary Pollak at 1-724-772-7196 or gary@sae.org.
SAE introduces certification for engineers involved in vehicle electrification
SAE International announced Nov. 14 that it will implement a personnel certification program that enables engineers, product development technicians, and associated personnel to earn a certificate of competency or certification in the area of vehicle electrification (VE). Through a process that engaged a group of auto industry subject-matter experts, a VE body of knowledge was developed and segmented into three distinct levels to meet the needs of specific personnel. Exam questions were generated to align with the body of knowledge to address each of the three levels. The VE Fundamentals and Safety Certificate of Competency is designed for individuals who require training and validation of knowledge in general electrified vehicle architectures, basic electricity and electronics, and critical safety precautions and procedures. Job roles include manufacturing personnel, procurement, sales, management, and engineering undergraduate students. This credential requires completing an online training course and passing an online exam. The VE Professional Certification level, due to launch in February 2013, is designed for individuals to validate mastery of knowledge in general VE safety and all major VE systems. Job roles include engineers, technicians, and other technical personnel assigned to electrified vehicle platforms but not involved with direct design of VE systems. Passing an online exam results in certification that remains in force for three years. The VE Engineer/Scientist Certification level will launch in March 2013 and is for individuals to validate mastery of knowledge in the science and design of all major VE systems. Job roles include engineers and R&D scientists engaged in focused research or product design of VE systems such as battery packs, motors, power electronics, and systems integration. Passing an online exam also results in certification that remains in force for three years.
SAE considers forming group to look at 1234yf in light of Daimler safety claim
SAE International is working with global automakers to investigate the formation of a new Cooperative Research Program (CRP) regarding 1234yf refrigerant. The formation of the group is in response to a Daimler AG press release on Sept. 25 that questioned the safe use of the refrigerant. The CRP will technically evaluate the findings referred to in the release. SAE International has hosted an organizational meeting to discuss a preliminary scope of research and is actively soliciting OEMs to formally join the new CRP. OEMs wishing to join should contact Gary Pollak at 1-724-772-7196 or gary@sae.org.
Honda Fit EV is new fuel-economy king (video)
At 118 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), the MY2013 Honda Fit EV is tops in fuel economy among models sold in the U.S. It has a U.S. EPA consumption rating of just 29 kW·h/100 mi and an estimated range of 82 mi—more than that of the Ford Focus Electric (105 MPGe, 76 mi), Nissan Leaf (99 MPGe, 73 mi), and Mitsubishi i (112 MPGe, 62 mi). EPA-estimated annual "fuel" cost is $500. The 118 MPGe figure breaks down into 132 city and 105 highway. The 20-kW·h lithium-ion battery can be recharged in less than 3 h at 240 V. The car is designed to the SAE J1772 connector standard for battery recharging.(Watch a video of Fit EV charging here.)
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NHTSA takes closer look at vehicle compatibility
A voluntary agreement reached among the world's major automakers in 2003 to reduce the risk of injury and death in collisions between passenger cars and larger light vehicles (LTVs) has produced questionable results, according to the NHTSA (U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The agency is seeking comment on a technical report that describes the effectiveness of the Enhancing Vehicle-to-Vehicle Crash Compatibility Agreement (EVC), under which automakers agreed on voluntary standards for LTVs to reduce the height mismatches between LTVs and passenger cars. Overall, there was a statistically significant 8% reduction in car occupant fatalities of passenger cars after light trucks self-certified to the agreement. However, for pickup trucks and SUVs separately, the effectiveness is inconsistent. Pickup trucks experienced a nonsignificant increase of 5% likelihood of occupant fatalities of passenger cars, while SUVs were associated with a significant 17% reduction. The studies cited in the report "provide some evidence that the EVC has reduced fatalities, but are not sufficiently strong to permit an unequivocal conclusion that it has been effective in reducing fatality risk to car occupants." NHTSA will study comments received to determine whether to initiate rulemaking. The technical report can be viewed at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811621.pdf.
SAE updates trailer towing standard
SAE International has updated its trailer towing standard, J2807 - "Performance Requirements for Determining Tow-Vehicle Gross Combination Weight Rating and Trailer Weight Rating." The guidelines require vehicles to be tested under consistent conditions and parameters, giving consumers accurate information when comparing the trailer-towing capacities of similar models. Updates include revision of standard trailer weight range descriptions and clarification of test setup, ballast procedures, and test requirements in several areas. The standard can be applied to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 13,000 lb. "We have a great committee with representatives from all over the auto and trailer industries who have put a lot of time and effort into developing standards for trailer weight ratings," said Robert J. Krouse, General Motors North America Trailering Engineer, BFO – Trailering, and SAE Tow Vehicle Trailer Rating Committee Chairman. "I think trailering customers will really benefit from this effort." The standard is available here.
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EU adopts two regulations on truck safety
The European Union in April adopted two regulations designed to enhance the safety of trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3500 kg and buses with more than eight passenger seats, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. One specifies the technical requirements and test procedures for advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS) that detect the possibility of a collision with a preceding vehicle; warn the driver by a combination of optical, acoustic, or haptic signals; and if the driver takes no action, automatically apply the vehicle’s brakes. The regulation also specifies two levels of performance to be achieved by AEBS. Fitment of AEBS meeting the "level 1" performance requirements becomes mandatory from Nov. 1, 2013 for new types of vehicles and from Nov. 1, 2015 for all new vehicles. The compliance dates for "level 2" are Nov. 1, 2016 for new types of vehicles and Nov. 1, 2018 for all new vehicles. The other regulation specifies the technical requirements and test procedures for lane departure warning systems (LDWS) that detect unintentional drift of the vehicle out of its travel lane and warn the driver by a combination of optical, acoustic, or haptic signals. Fitment LDWS becomes mandatory from Nov. 15, 2013 for new types of vehicles and from Nov. 1, 2015 for all new vehicles. Both regulations contain a list of specific vehicle types, such as urban buses and off-road vehicles, that are exempt. "New types of vehicles" are models being launched for the first time, and "new vehicles" are new vehicles being registered for the first time.
NHTSA proposes ESC for trucks and buses
NHTSA (U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) on May 16 proposed a rule to require that new large commercial truck tractors and buses be equipped with an electronic stability control (ESC) system. If and when the proposed rule is adopted, the mandate would take effect two years later for all new typical 6 x 4 truck tractors and four years for severe-service tractors and tractors with four or more axles. In justifying the lead times, NHTSA noted that there are only two suppliers of ESC systems for truck tractors and large buses: Bendix and WABCO. It said the current rate of ESC installation on new truck tractors is 18%.
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