Emissions reduction from passenger cars with RCCI plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) can be considered as a potential technology to promote the change from conventional mobility to e-mobility. However, the real benefits in terms of CO2 emissions depend on a great extent on their mode of use, vehicle design and electricity source. On the other hand, in the last few years, advanced combustion modes as Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) showed great advantages in terms of NOx and soot emissions reduction. This paper has the purpose of assessing, through numerical simulations fed with experimental results, the potential of different hybrid vehicles when used together with a low temperature combustion mode. In particular, the dual-fuel Mild (MHEV), Full (FHEV) and Plug-in (PHEV) hybrid electric vehicles are tested and compared to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and the conventional dual-fuel powertrain, both no-Hybrid vehicles. The powertrains are optimized to meet the current European homologation legislation Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). After that, a deep analysis is performed in terms of performance and emissions. Lastly, a life-cycle analysis (LCA) is performed to evaluate the real potential of the different technologies. The results show that the PHEV has the highest benefits in terms of fuel consumption and engine-out emissions. With this technology, it is possible to achieve the 50 g/km CO2 target for the PHEVs with a medium battery size (15 kWh), while NOx and soot levels are under the Euro 6 limits. In addition, the RCCI technology shows great benefits to achieve the Euro 6 soot level for the other hybrid platforms. The LCA shows that the PHEVs can achieve 12% reduction of the total CO2 with respect to the FHEVs, and 30% with respect to the no-hybrid diesel platform.