Truck manufacturers and vehicle component manufacturer are exploring using fuel cell auxiliary units (APUs) in lieu of main engine idling. While fuel cell powertrains continue to face significant technical and economic barriers, the truck auxiliary power application may offer a viable near-term...

A large number of heavy-duty trucks idle a significant amount. Heavy-duty line-haul engines idle about 20-40% of the time the engine is running, depending on season and operation. Drivers idle engines to power climate control devices (e.g., heaters and air conditioners) and sleeper compartment...

Zero and near-zero emission vehicles based on electric-drive technology have the potential to play a long-term role in alleviating the air pollution, greenhouse gas, and energy use concerns associated with conventional vehicles. Most attention has focused on electric-drive technologies for...

The design and lifecycle cost model designs a motor vehicle to meet range and performance requirements specified by the modeler, and then calculates the initial retail cost and total lifecycle cost of the designed vehicle. The model can be used to investigate the relationship between the...

Electric-drive vehicles can become and important resource for the California electric utility system, with consequent air pollution, system reliability, and economic benefits. We refer to electric power resources from vehicles as “Vehicle to Grid†power (V2G). The economic value of...

An Appendix to the Report, “A Lifecycle Emissions Model (LEM): Lifecycle Emissions From Transportation Fuels, Motor Vehicles, Transportation Modes, Electricity Use, Heating and Cooking Fuels, and Materialsâ€

Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) are small, very efficient EVs that are designed to be used for urban trips at relatively low speeds. They provide the potential for greatly reduced air pollution, energy use, petroleum imports, greenhouse gas emissions, and roadspace. Because they are very...

Several electric vehicle (EV) cost studies have been prepared in recent years. These studies employ a broad range of assumptions and methodologies, and the disparate results that they report are a testament to the uncertainties surrounding the potential manufacturing costs of EVs. This report...