Efficient Plug-In Hybrid Electric Buses

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Program:
NEXTCAR
Award:
$2,799,999
Location:
Riverside, California
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
03/06/2017 - 11/05/2020

Technology Description:

The University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) team will design, develop, and test an innovative vehicle-powertrain eco-operation system for natural-gas-fueled plug-in hybrid electric buses. This system will use emerging connected and automated vehicle applications like predictive approach and departure at traffic signals, efficient adaptive cruise, and optimized stopping and accelerating from stop signs and bus stops. Since stop-and-go operation wastes a large amount of energy, optimizing these maneuvers for an urban transit bus presents significant opportunities for improving energy efficiency. Using look-ahead information on traffic and road grade, the team will optimize the powertrain operation by managing combustion engine output, electric motor output and battery state of charge in this hybrid application.

Potential Impact:

If successful, this UC Riverside project will enable at least an additional 20% reduction in energy consumption of plug-in hybrid buses.

Security:

These innovations could lead to more efficient domestic buses and eventually other transit vehicles, lessening U.S. dependence on imported oil.

Environment:

Greater efficiency in transportation can help reduce sector emissions, helping improve urban air quality and decreasing the sector’s carbon footprint.

Economy:

Project innovations would further solidify the United States’ status as a global leader in connected and automated vehicle technology, while a more efficient vehicle fleet would reduce energy cost per mile driven and bolster economic competitiveness.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Marina Sofos
Project Contact:
Prof. Matthew Barth
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
barth@ece.ucr.edu

Partners

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
US Hybrid

Related Projects


Release Date:
04/12/2016