A consortium led by Cranfield University has developed a retrofit plug-in hybrid conversion system that can be used to convert conventional internal combustion engines.
The Affordable Add-on Zero Emissions Vehicle technology shows how it may be possible to convert the existing UK fleet into plug-ins via a through-the-road approach. It has been developed to reduce carbon emissions in inner city driving and used a Vauxhall Combo van as its test vehicle.
By adding an electric drive to the rear wheels, the team transformed the van into a hybrid capable of a range of more than 12 miles on all-electric mode. The team believes that the technology could be used to scale up larger vans and even city buses.
It uses twin-liquid cooled motors with a maximum power of 100kW and a peak torque of 350Nm. The electric only drive has been limited in order to propel the vehicle at speeds up to 37mph. For out of town driving the diesel power unit provides conventional operation and can be configured to switch manually between modes such as when travelling into a city centre.
The results are that a typical operating cost for fuel for a small delivery business could be cut by around 40 per cent.
