Multi-material vehicles are becoming more prevalent as automakers attempt to reduce vehicle weight and boost fuel efficiency. Selecting the proper adhesive is critical when bonding dissimilar materials.
Lubricant performance may not appear to be a salient challenge for EV operation even when it comes to the development of world electric speed record achievements and on-track e-racecars; but it is, says Millers Oils' Technical Director, Martyn Mann.
Interior Climate Control Committee reactivates development of standards for R-744 mobile air-conditioning (carbon dioxide as a refrigerant), after several German automakers choose to renew work on a system. R-1234yf maintains worldwide lead as low-global-warming refrigerant choice to replace R-134a. German association of the auto industry (VDA) assigns R-744 development work to automakers.
The new "oil boom" is causing California's air-quality regulators to develop new policies to stimulate the industry's investments in ZEV technologies, and hopefully accelerate hybrid and EV sales, a member of the Air Resources Board told the 2014 SAE Hybrid & EV Symposium audience.
Ford pickup customers have already embraced turbo V6 power in the current steel F-150. The all-new, smaller 2.7-L V6, packing 325 hp and 375 lb-ft, in a truck that is more than 700-lb lighter than the incumbent model, should find an equally willing audience.
Written for those who have an interest in or need to understand automotive fuels, SAE International offers the third edition of its best-selling Automotive Fuels Reference Book.
Conti's new 48-V hybrid system is a package-efficient module aimed at delivering much of the functionality of a 200- to 400-V hybrid system for a fraction of the cost. It will enter production in 2016 at two OEMs.
AC17 test reporting begins in 2015. Initially it "gifts" applicable CAFE A/C efficiency credits, but leads to mandatory use. Industry also looks to reduce A/C-induced EV range loss from solar loading using films, glass, pre-ventilation.
Rule mandates lower levels of pollutant emissions from light- and heavy-duty vehicles while also mandating significantly lower levels of sulfur in gasoline to help achieve the emissions reductions.