Sedan in Dyno testing

Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions Testing & Research

Light-duty vehicles such as cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles account for a significant portion of smog-forming air pollutants, ground-level ozone and particulate matter. These vehicles also account for more than half of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other greenhouse gasses on United States roadways.

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Toyota Mirai on Dyno testing

SwRI's four-wheel-drive (4WD) chassis dyno tests for gaseous and particulate matter emissions, electric vehicle power analysis and fuel economy.

Southwest Research Institute’s Powertrain Engineering Division is a leader in research, development and testing of light-duty vehicles designed to meet and exceed emissions standards. We offer world-class automotive engineering expertise with cutting-edge dynamometers, engine test cells and other R&D facilities required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB), as well as state, industry and proprietary standards.

Emissions Testing Capabilities

SwRI emissions testing focuses on highly repeatable exhaust emissions to distinguish between various fuel and lubricant compositions. Vehicle testing can be conducted using a wide range of fuels from conventional pump gasoline to high ethanol content fuel and alternative fuels. We conduct detailed exhaust characterization such as hydrocarbon speciation, measurement of air toxins and particulate matter analysis.

Certifications

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SwRI staff at computer running dyno testing

SwRI provides accurate data to help clients with light-duty vehicle emissions certifications. testing and research.

SwRI’s emissions testing laboratory offers over 60 years of experience in certification, testing and research.

  • EPA 40 CFR Part 1066, 600, 86, and 79 fuel registration
  • CARB complaint testing
  • ISO 17025 certified
  • Listed as an EPA independent vehicle emissions testing laboratory
  • Oil efficiency evaluation for Dexos® oil qualification
  • Climate controlled chassis dyno 50 °F to 95 °F (SC03 compliant)
  • Electric vehicle range testing (SAE J1634)
  • Hybrid vehicle emissions testing (SAE J1711)

Dynamometer Testing

SwRI offers both four-wheel-drive (4WD) and two-wheel-drive (2WD) dynamometers to test vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, electric batteries, hybrid engines, fuel cells and other novel powertrains. SwRI also offers Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions Testing.

Testing Capabilities

  • High-Precision fuel economy testing (variation differences as low as 0.5% or ~0.2 mpg in small passenger cars)
  • Three-way catalyst (TWC), diesel particulate filter (DPF) and gasoline particulate filter (GPF) evaluation
  • Fuel enrichment testing
  • Fuel dilution testing
  • Custom drive cycles and customized dyno testing
  • Performance emissions testing for the aftermarket automotive industry
  • Fuel and lubricant emissions evaluation
 

Measurement Capabilities

  • Three-way catalyst (TWC) embedded thermocouple instrumentation
  • Dilute and raw exhaust emissions measurements
  • Exhaust temperature, pressure and air-fuel ratio
  • Soot, particulate number and particulate mass measurements

DEVCon™ Automated Testing Advantage

SwRI’s proprietary Direct Electronic Control (DEVCon™) automates vehicle testing for more accurate results. DEVCon combines proprietary control algorithms and drive-by-wire technology for repeatable dynamometer measurements with computer control of the accelerator and brake pedal.

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Ariel view of SwRI's test track

SwRI's one-mile test track.

Vehicle Test Track

SwRI conducts on-road emissions testing using advanced portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) on our dedicated one-mile test track. This outdoor test loop gives engineers an opportunity to capture real-world tailpipe emissions and fuel economy outside of a laboratory setting.

Hybrid (HEV) & Electric Vehicle (EV) Testing

SwRI is a premier center for EV, HEV and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) research and development spanning Electric Powertrain Systems and Energy Storage Systems to Lubricant Testing. Our hybrid and electric vehicle testing services provide a pathway to production from bespoke solutions to electric vehicle testing standards. OEMs, suppliers and aftermarket manufacturers trust SwRI for independent solutions for testing electric cars and trucks.

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