BOARD MEETING DATE: April 21, 2000 AGENDA NO. 3
Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor the Development and Evaluation of Battery Dominant Hybrid Electric Vehicle Systems
SYNOPSIS:
The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Center at UC Davis has been pioneering the development of battery dominant hybrid electric vehicle (BDHEV) systems. UC Davis has proposed the development of grid-charged BDHEVs with the latest clean engine technology to achieve super ultra low emission vehicle targets. In the proposed project, the powertrain and control algorithms of a recently developed light-duty BDHEV will be optimized, and a new medium-duty battery dominant Chevrolet Suburban HEV will be designed and constructed. AQMD’s contribution to this project shall not exceed $400,000. Co-funding will be provided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), $2,090,500: Visteon, $175,000; and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), $100,000.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, February 25, 2000, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the University of California, Davis to cost-share the development and evaluation of battery dominant hybrid electric vehicle systems, in an amount not to exceed $400,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund..
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
Expectations of substantially lower automobile fuel consumption and exhaust emissions have motivated interest in the technology advancement of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Recent announcements by major Japanese automobile manufacturers now signal that carmakers are getting close to manufacturing HEVs as a competitive new automotive product. The extent of the future market penetration of HEVs can have a significant effect in reducing emissions from the on-road fleet. It is therefore important to support the development and commercialization of new HEV technologies, so that they can offer the best combination of environmental benefits, while meeting the driving needs and economic constraints of consumers.
The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Center at UC Davis has been pioneering the development of grid-charged battery-dominant hybrid electric vehicle (BDHEVs). This technology provides greatly increased fuel economy and high performance where a grid-charged battery pack is used as the primary energy source and a gasoline engine is designed to operate at high efficiency.
Proposal
In the proposed project, the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Center at UC Davis will develop and evaluate the following technologies that are key to the successful development of BDHEVs:
In addition, with funding from other cosponsors, a high torque, high efficiency continuous variable transmission for use in another parallel BDHEV Suburban will be developed and evaluated. The successful development of this technology will extend the vehicle range without any degradation in acceleration and performance. It will also meet super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV) emission levels and improve fuel economy by at least 100% over a comparable conventional vehicle.
As a cosponsor to this project, a final report with all the results will be submitted to the AQMD. However, due to potential requirements of other co-sponsors certain parts of the report, for which no AQMD funding would be allocated, may be deemed confidential.
Benefits to AQMD
The proposed project is included in the November 1998 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 98T3-1, ‘‘Advanced Transportation Systems Research, Development and Demonstration.’’ The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. HEVs are a promising technology to help achieve this goal.
The outcome of this demonstration program if successful, will greatly improve the viability of near-zero emission HEV technologies and enhance their commercialization potential. One of the benefits of the grid-dependent HEV technology will be that the vehicle will be able to comply with the SULEV requirements, and also qualify for partial zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) credits, because it partially operates as pure electric vehicle. This will in turn help reduce emissions of criteria pollutants from the on-road fleet and help achieve the goals of the AQMP.
Sole Source Justification
Section VIII.B.2 of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are: B.2.d.(1) Project involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.
The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Center at UC Davis has been pioneering the development of a practical in-line parallel BDHEV for the last ten years. The Center has a large and experienced staff conducting cutting edge research on hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain systems. Professor Andrew Frank of the UC Davis has over 25 years of experience in designing and building parallel hybrid vehicles with batteries and flywheels. UC Davis under contract with General Motors Advanced Technology Group (GMATV), has recently delivered a BDHEV version of an EV1 to GMATV, where it is currently undergoing evaluations.
This program is cosponsored by several entities, where AQMD’s contribution will be leveraged at a ratio of at least 1 to 6 with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Visteon, and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD).
Visteon is a leading supplier of electronic controls and components for automobile manufacturers. It is the major supplier to Ford Motor Company, and could serve as a major supplier of hybrid powertrains in the future.
Resource Impacts
The total amount of AQMD funding for this project shall not exceed $400,000. Additional cost sharing will be provided by DARPA with $2,090,500, Visteon with $175,000, and SMUD with $100,000. UC Davis will provide $885,500 in-kind contribution.
Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.
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