FUEREX

Multi-fuel Range Extender with high efficiency and ultra low emissions

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Worldwide, there is a strong trend towards highly efficient, low (preferably zero) emission vehicles, i.e. electrical vehicles. In order to facilitate the transition from conventional fuel-driven vehicles towards electrically driven vehicles, there is a short(er) term need for advanced plug-in hybrids and electrical vehicles with range extenders. For this purpose, highly efficient, compact, clean and low cost engines are required. Such engines are to provide battery charging over longer trips and/or in areas where electric recharge infrastructure is not (yet) available. Moreover, these engines should be able to significantly improve over future Euro 6 standards for noxious emissions. FUEREX covers all of the above mentioned aspects with the focus on the application in battery electric vehicles with range extenders capable of using regular fuels as well as bio fuels. The CONCEPT is based upon: 1. Three compact spark-ignition engines: (a) rotary engine, b) 2 cylinder piston engine, and c) gas engine as these type of engines have the highest potential to meet the requirements in terms of efficiency, fuel types, exhaust emissions, dimension, weight and costs. 2. Multi fuel Capability for regular fuels: petrol, LPG and CNG and for bio fuels: ethanol and biogas as these fuel types are broadly available and have the largest market potential; 3. Integration of the range extenders with state of the art battery packs 4. Demonstration of the integrated technology at a realistic scale The targeted end result of FUEREX is to prove the feasibility/viability of the range extender technology for the markets for sub-compact passenger cars up to light duty trucks. This will allow large market penetration of electrical vehicles. Consortium is built with industry partners, AVL as engine supplier, BOSCH as component supplier, Volvo (passenger cars) and ALTRA (IVECO light commercial) as end-user and research institutes, CRF and Chalmers and Uniresearch as service provider.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU-funded scientists have developed a low-cost, high-performance range extender for electric vehicles (EVs). It promises to make electric cars more attractive until recharging stations are as common as gas stations.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The transport sector is planning a transition from conventional fuel-powered vehicles to all-electric ones to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease emissions affecting global climate change. However, this transition will take time. In the meantime, advanced plug-in hybrids and EVs with range extenders are excellent short- to mid-term options to enable battery recharging over long trips or in areas where recharging stations are not available. However, there are currently no such engines on the market that comply with the 'zero emissions' label of EVs.

The EU-funded project 'Multi-fuel range extender with high efficiency and ultra low emissions' http://www.fuerex.eu/ ((FUEREX)) sought to meet these stringent requirements including noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) criteria, all at an attractive price. The state-of-the-art range extender for EVs is designed for use with three different compact spark-ignition engines. Thus, the technology covers solutions ranging from sub-compact passenger cars to light-duty commercial vehicles. In addition, the system is designed for multi-fuel flexibility. Each of the three engines is compatible with at least one conventional fuel and at least one biofuel.

Bench tests demonstrated successful results in terms of emissions, efficiency and performance. The range extenders were integrated in three test vehicles, two compact passenger cars and one light-duty transport vehicle, with state-of-the-art battery packs. Vehicle testing produced promising results regarding performance and challenging NVH issues. Finally, the team produced design guidelines elucidating range extender optimisation procedures for a given vehicle.

Commercial availability of low-cost, high-performance range extenders for EVs is likely to produce a step-change in the number of such vehicles on the road, with corresponding positive impact on manufacturers, the EU economy and the environment.