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The objective of the project was to evaluate the energy efficiency of a hybrid electric tractor-semi-trailer combination prototype. The prototype was developed for log hauling application by integrating an existing tractor with an electric semi-trailer to improve fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One of the conventional axles of the quad axle semi-trailer was replaced with a drive axle powered by an electric motor. Tests were conducted on a 105 km test route with a maximum difference in elevation of 355 m, including a hilly section with a length of 89 km. The results indicated fuel savings ranging from 10.5% to 14% per test run, with an average fuel savings of 12% when the electric drive axle was engaged. The hybrid electric tractor semi-trailer consumed 17.5% less fuel up-hill and 9.4% less down-hill. Throughout each test run, the battery’s state of charge fluctuated, averaging between 88% at the start and 52% at the end.

The electrification of agricultural machinery, such as tractors, presents an opportunity to mitigate environmental impacts associated with traditional diesel-powered equipment. Central to this transition are the battery packs that power electric tractors, the choice of which can significantly influence the tractor's overall environmental footprint. This paper conducts a comparative case study to assess the environmental impacts of different battery pack configurations in a low-profile, full-electric tractor model tailored for orchard and vineyard applications. Parametric analysis is conducted using a one degree-of-freedom 4WD tractor model to assess power needs for traction across varied working conditions, including slope, speed, and terrain characteristics.

The automotive industry faces significant obstacles in its efforts to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Current conventional automotive powertrain systems are approaching their technical limits and will not be able to meet future carbon dioxide emission targets as defined by the tank-to-wheel benchmark test. As automakers transition to low-carbon transportation solutions through electrification, there are significant challenges in managing energy and improving overall vehicle efficiency, particularly in real-world driving scenarios. While electrification offers a promising path to low-carbon transportation, it also presents significant challenges in terms of energy management and vehicle efficiency, particularly in real-world scenarios. Battery electric vehicles have a favorable tank-to-wheel balance but are constrained by limited range due to the low battery energy density inherent in their technology.

In the quest for reduced development times and cost of fuel cell systems for industrial applications, we identified two major issues. First, the electrochemical behaviour of fuel cell systems is inherently difficult to predict. Second, testing fuel cell systems is resource intensive. These issues compound: Setting up an accurate model of a fuel cell system incurs long testing periods and does not guarantee acceptable results outside the tested parameters or for other membrane electrode assembly compositions. Our proposal to mitigate these two major issues is the use of an X in the Loop concept. Essentially, this is the direct integration of the test sample, here a single fuel cell, into the modelling environment of the whole system. In practice, we have defined two strategies with different levels of integration. Both assume a required power profile is given.

This 3-day Fundamentals of GD&T course provides an in-depth study of the terms, rules, symbols, and concepts of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, as prescribed in the ASME Y14.5-2018 Standard. The course can be conducted in three 8-hour sessions or with flexible scheduling including five mornings or five afternoons. 

This is a three-day course which provides a comprehensive and up to date introduction to fuel cells for use in automotive engineering applications. It is intended for engineers and particularly engineering managers who want to jump‐start their understanding of this emerging technology and to enable them to engage in its development. Following a brief description of fuel cells and how they work, how they integrate and add value, and how hydrogen is produced, stored and distributed, the course will provide the status of the technology from fundamentals through to practical implementation.