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Lightweighting technology development and trends in U.S. passenger vehicles
Advances in lightweighting (mass-reduction) designs and technology have surpassed projections made for the U.S. 2025 vehicle CAFE/GHG standard. Overall, weight reduction of ~15% should be feasible by 2025, at costs about one-third of 2012 estimates.
Assessing the profitability of growing dedicated energy versus food crops in four European countries
Assesses the potential for energy crops to displace food crops in four countries in Europe and evaluates the relative profitability of these crops compared to existing food crops.
Understanding options for ILUC mitigation
Surveys the existing literature on methodologies related to the certification of low ILUC biofuel projects through different measures. It also assesses the potential challenges, risks, and loopholes that could arise from the use of these methodologies.
Identifying the leading regional electric vehicle markets in the United States
Identifies auto markets with highest electric vehicle shares by region in the U.S., including smaller and medium size metropolitan areas. Analyzes electric vehicle promotion actions in place that are accelerating market development in the leading markets.
Downsized, boosted gasoline engines
An analysis of trends and developments in turbocharged, downsized gasoline engines since the 2017–2025 light duty GHG/CAFE rule written by EPA and NHTSA in 2012.
Deployment of passenger car technology in Europe and the United States
Compares the uptake of a range of vehicle technologies such as variable valve timing, gasoline direct injection, turbocharging, stop/start, as well as transmission and hybridization technologies in the U.S. and EU in recent years.
Heavy fuel oil use in Arctic shipping in 2015
MEPC’s 70th session will consider two topics that may greatly reduce the amount of HFO used in the Arctic: a global marine fuel sulfur cap of 0.5% (currently it is 3.5%), and whether or not HFO use in the Arctic should be formally placed on the MEPC agenda. This paper provides key information needed to evaluate the potential risks HFO has to the Arctic environment.
Automotive thermal management technology
An analysis of trends and developments in thermal management technology since the 2017–2025 light duty GHG/CAFE rule written by EPA and NHTSA in 2012.
Transmissions
This paper provides an analysis of transmission technology development and trends, and compares them to the projections made by EPA and NHTSA for the 2025 CAFE regulation.
Improving emission standards compliance with a defect reporting system for in-use passenger vehicles
Details how emission control defect reporting programs are used to improve compliance with passenger vehicle emission standards.