Advanced Automotive Technology: Visions of a Super-Efficient Family Car

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In May 1994, OTA staff visited four German automakers: Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche, and
Mercedes Benz, and one supplier, Robert Bosch, to discuss advanced vehicle R&D Some of the
results are illuminating. There was uniform optimism about the future of direct-injection diesel
engines, which can achieve a 40 percent increase in fuel efficiency compared to current gasoline
engines. Considerable skepticism was expressed, however, about the ability of pure electric and
hybrid vehicles to meet the performance and cost expectations of consumers. Although some
German automakers have designed advanced vehicles from the ground up (e.g., BMW’s E-1
electric car), most prototypes involve conversions from production gasoline or diesel vehicles
with batteries and electric motors added. This approach reduces financial risk, while enabling
companies to test alternative concepts.

Sweden

Government-Funded R&D
Swedish government support for contemporary research on electric and hybrid vehicles began
in the mid 1970s. Owing to concerns about the performance and range of pure EVs the Swedish
research program has primarily focused on hybrids. The Swedish National Board for Industrial
and Technical Development (NUTEK) and the Swedish Transport and Communications Research
Board (KFB) have begun three complementary electric and hybrid vehicle programs.
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These are:

1. Beginning in 1993, a six year electric and hybrid vehicle research program funded by NUTEK
   with an annual budget for the first three years of $1 million.


2. A four-year KFB-led electric and hybrid vehicle demonstration program with government
   finding of $16 million and matching finds from participants.


3. A technology procurement program was established in 1992 by NUTEK to create demand pull
   for electric and hybrid vehicles. In 1994, two purchasing groups formulated specifications for
   vehicle performance and price. Eight to 10 prototypes are to be delivered in 1995 for
   evaluation. Members have committed to purchase 220 vehicles, if their specifications are met.

The three largest cities in Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Mamlo) have EV and hybrid

demonstration projects under way. Major participants include Renault, Volvo, the national

government, and regional electric power producers. The city of Gothenburg has taken the lead

with its “Start” Project, involving 10 vehicles and at least one electric charging station, funded at

$1.25 million per year. Recently, KBF has signed four-year agreements with Gothenburg and

Mamlo that will enable them to deploy a wider variety of vehicles and to increase each of their

electric and hybrid vehicle fleets to more than 50 vehicles.

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32B. ~]e ~ A ~w~~ nsw~~ N~~l Rop fm E]*c and Hybrid Electric Vehicl~” The 12rh ]nternahonal EJecm”c Vehicle

S“ snon @J&12), vol. 1, (San Francisco, CA: Electric Vehicle Associat.knofthe America% 1994), pp. 698-706.

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