ICE 4.X – Implementation as Modular Electrification

Authors

Dr. G. Fraidl, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) M. Brunner, Dr. P. Kapus, Dipl.-Ing. W. Schöffmann, Dr. H. Sorger, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) G. Teuschl, Dipl.-Ing. M. Weissbäck, AVL List GmbH, Graz

Year

2019

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Reihe 12, Nr. 811

Summary

With the current battery-vehicle hype especially in Europe, the future of the internal combustion engine in passenger cars is increasingly questioned. In addition to a strong policy direction for a CO₂-neutral transport sector, also significant improvements in air quality are required. In this regard, both severity and complexity of future EU7 emission legislation will surpass even the up to date leading California pollutant emissions legislation, mainly due to the demanding RDE requirements. Combined with the world's most challenging CO₂ fleet limits, this is an enormous driver for a rapid deployment of electrified drivetrains.
In view of a broad roll-out of battery-electric vehicles already short-term, there are not only various open challenges such as charging infrastructure, customer acceptance, costs, etc., but even more critical issues come up in a comprehensive life-cycle-oriented assessment. Due to the still high CO₂ emissions from power generation and battery production, the question which actual reduction of global warming can already be delivered by the battery vehicle is most essential. Although the battery electric drive is certainly the long-term dominating technology with passenger cars, in a comprehensive view the internal combustion engine will remain competitive at least for the next decade and being an extremely useful supplement to battery-electric mobility – even more from a global perspective.
For efficient powertrain solutions, all synergies between electrification and combustion engines must be exploited. To meet the diversified market requirements, a modular design of the ICE is required, which can be easily adapted to the different forms of hybridization - the "ICE 4.X". By incorporating predictive operating strategies and refined exhaust aftertreatment, a “Zero Impact Emission” level can be achieved in terms of pollutant emissions, which is required for a long-term future of the internal combustion engine. With the inclusion of synthetic fuels, which will be an integral part of a regenerative energy scenario, the ICE will be able to become emission-neutral not only in terms of pollutants, but also in terms of CO₂.