Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) News
Printer Friendly VersionSwRI consortium to develop Equivalent Zero Emission Vehicle
Consortium to attempt meeting stricter emissions levels using a conventional engine and powertrain
San Antonio -- February 24, 1997 -- In anticipation of stricter passenger car emissions levels being proposed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is launching a five-year cooperative research program to develop technology for an Equivalent Zero Emission Vehicle (EZEV). The goal of the cooperative is to develop emissions reduction technology for a conventional passenger car so that it contributes an amount of atmospheric pollution equal to or less than the emissions of a battery-electric vehicle.
"If these levels go into effect, they will be approximately 0.1 percent of the emissions levels of the 1960s, before the Environmental Protection Agency put regulations into place," says Program Manager Dr. Rob H. Thring, an Institute engineer in the SwRI Engine and Vehicle Research Division. "These emissions levels are so low that we're pushing the limits of our equipment to even measure them."
CARB proposes tightening the limits to 0.02 grams per mile (g/mi) for oxides of nitrogen, 0.004 g/mi for non-methane organic gasses, and 0.17 g/mi for carbon monoxide.
Battery-electric technology is one method for meeting the proposed levels. Because battery-electric vehicles are not truly "zero-emission" vehicles -- the power stations that supply the electrical energy stored in the batteries contribute to atmospheric pollution -- researchers came up with the EZEV concept. However, there are still questions about the driving ranges of electric vehicles and the cost of hybrid vehicles, which combine a battery-electric system with a conventional powertrain.
"One possible solution is to try to meet the stricter emissions levels using a conventional engine and powertrain," says Thring. "To have EZEVs in production in 2003, the technology has to be ready by 2001, and it will take engineers from now until then to develop it. That means we need to start now."
In addition to attempting to meet the proposed CARB levels, the cooperative will examine the effects of new technologies on fuel and lubricant formulation; study the effects of fuel formulation on cold start emissions, transient emissions, driveability, and catalyst durability; incorporate the new Federal Test Procedure; produce a demonstrator car that meets the aforementioned goals; and develop technology for a vehicle with fuel economy as good as or better than in existing passenger cars.
Cooperative members will be invited to attend regular progress meetings, and all data will be proprietary to the participants. Member contributions will be dedicated to research in their line of interest. For example, funds contributed by fuel suppliers will go toward fuel research.
The cost to participate in the EZEV cooperative is $100,000 per
year, with participation to be renewed annually.
For more information about the EZEV cooperative, contact Maria Martinez, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510, Phone (210) 522-3305, Fax (210) 522-3547.
