Agency Report
As the global society has pledged to lower CO2 emissions to below 2 degrees Celsius, Frost & Sullivan’s Mobility team examines the levels of energy efficiency from powertrain system technology in transport vehicles.
The study states that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are embracing platform strategy as a tool to improve the energy efficiency of powertrain systems and to achieve fleet level CO2 compliance in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner.
The report titled, Global Powertrain Outlook 2017, provides an analysis of powertrain technologies and looks at trends, industry dynamics and significant vehicle, engine and transmission launches that will shape the industry this year and beyond.
Major markets include Europe, North America, Brazil, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey.
Frost & Sullivan Intelligent Mobility Research Analyst, Sudeep Kaippalli, commented: “Scalability of energy-efficient powertrain systems is pivotal in meeting CO2 and fuel economy targets. Having a sustainable technology-sharing strategy moves OEMs closer to fuel economy targets with optimum costs while keeping vehicles affordable for buyers.”
Kaippalli added: “Joint ventures between suppliers and OEMs will be key to achieve standard emission results and testing procedures, thereby reducing compliance costs.”
Technologies such as miller cycle engines, electric boost, and friction-optimised transmissions will have a much stronger role to play in making powertrains fuel and energy efficient, the report has revealed.
Growing OEM focus on engine rightsising, especially for crossovers and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), provides better power output and keeps nitrogen oxide (NOx) under control, as required by RDE and worldwide-harmonised light vehicles (WLTP) testing.
The study further stated that sharing of core powertrain elements, such as boosting systems, valve actuation, and injection systems across models in and between segments minimises research and development costs and product development times.
Kaippalli noted: “OEMs will adopt standardised technical services to test and issue test results that will be monitored by regulatory authorities. This will result in reduced emissions for newly launched vehicles and create awareness among consumers.
“The use of portable emission monitoring systems will further force OEMs to adopt selective catalytic reduction technology to limit nitrous oxide emission and comply with testing.”