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Current Canadian and United States fuel consumption test procedures and labeling calculations can underestimate the potential real-world benefits of advanced technologies such as stop-start systems. The fuel consumption results outlined in this paper support that point, since the 2-cycle (UDDS, HWFET) test results under-represent the fuel savings when compared to the urban-centered New York City (NYCC) driving cycle and the Japanese 10-15 (J10-15) mode driving cycle when the stop-start system is activated. Vehicles equipped with stop-start systems can use less fuel in urban driving than is apparent from the current published fuel consumption values. The evaluation of off-cycle and real-world testing aims to demonstrate the potential savings of stop-start technology.

In a campaign to quantify the aerodynamic drag changes associated with drag reduction technologies recently introduced for light-duty vehicles, a 3-year, 24-vehicle study was commissioned by Transport Canada. The intent was to evaluate the level of drag reduction associated with each technology as a function of vehicle size class. Drag reduction technologies were evaluated through direct measurements of their aerodynamic performance on full-scale vehicles in the National Research Council Canada (NRC) 9 m Wind Tunnel, which is equipped with a the Ground Effect Simulation System (GESS) composed of a moving belt, wheel rollers and a boundary layer suction system. A total of 24 vehicles equipped with drag reduction technologies were evaluated over three wind tunnel entries, beginning in early 2014 to summer 2015. Testing included 12 sedans, 8 sport utility vehicles, 2 minivans and 2 pick-up trucks.