Fuel consumption and emissions simulation of cars with different power options

Abstract

Fuel consumption and emissions have a very large impact on the environment, and depend on the type of car powertrain, terrain configuration, vehicle load and vehicle speed. In this paper, a simulation was performed using Advisor vehicle simulation software on a specific urban route. Using factory-installed sensors, engine ECU and car OBD2 connection, the current speed and fuel consumption of a car with diesel engine were measured. Using Advisor software, a simulation models of a passenger car with diesel, petrol and hybrid powertrain were made. The measured speed profile of the real car was used as input data in simulations for cars with different powertrains. The comparison of simulation and measurement results was used to validate the computer model in terms of fuel consumption. Fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, unburned hydrocarbon emissions, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions were calculated. The obtained results are expected, although the differences between individual powertrains are more pronounced than declared by the manufacturers. The highest fuel consumption and the highest emission was achieved by a car with petrol engine, and the lowest by a car with hybrid powertrain. The fact that a three-way catalytic converter installed in a car with petrol and hybrid drive becomes effective only after a few minutes of operation, when the operating temperature is reached, has a significant impact on emissions.