Road vehicles exhaust emissions and fuel consumption evaluation under real driving conditions

The main investigations developed in this field were focused on:

  • Definition of hot and cold exhaust emission factors for pollutants (CO, HC, NOX, NO2, CO2 and PM) referred to different vehicle categories (passenger cars, light and heavy duty vehicles, buses, motorcycles, mopeds, waste collection vehicles), taking into account the relevant mission profile and considering different parameters (vehicle characteristics, engine and after-treatment system operating conditions, mean vehicle speed, ambient temperature, etc.).
  • Development of experimental and/or statistical methodologies for the assessment of the real circulating fleet and mileage and the definition of typical routes with the relevant driving characteristics.
  • Application of emission factors and activity data for the evaluation of road vehicles exhaust emissions through the development of a model (PROGRESS) and comparison of the calculated values with air quality measured trends in urban environment.
  • Definition of motorcycles and mopeds behavior in cold start and hot conditions. This theme was developed in collaboration with the Istituto Motori of the National Research Council of Italy.
  • Definition of fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of heavy-duty vehicles through the application of the PHEM model using specific driving patterns measured in urban and port areas. This theme was developed in co-operation with the Laboratoire Transports et Environnement (LTE) of IFSTTAR.

Recently, the Progress model has been updated with the most recent ad future legislation classes. A calculation procedure to estimate emissions related to electric energy production for recharging battery packs fitted on electric and hybrid vehicles was also defined and included in the model (evaluation of indirect emissions).

This step allows to compare overall energy consumption and emissions of conventional and alternative road vehicles, referring in particular to cars, buses and motorcycles.

Researchers

  • Giorgio Zamboni
  • Massimo Capobianco

Laboratories 

  • Laboratorio di Motori a Combustione Interna

Publications

  • Zamboni G., Dressino L., Boileau H. A tool for the assessment of the potential benefits of electric and hybrid cars for emissions reduction in urban areas. International Journal of Environmental Studies 2020, ISSN: 0020-7233; doi: 10.1080/00207233.2020.1736845
  • Zamboni G., André M., Roveda A., Capobianco M. Experimental evaluation of Heavy Duty Vehicle speed patterns in urban and port areas and estimation of their fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, vol.35, pp.1-10, March 2015, doi:10.1016/j.trd.2014.11.024.
  • Zamboni G., Malfettani S., André M., Carraro C., Marelli S., Capobianco M. Assessment of heavy-duty vehicle activities, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions in port areas. Applied Energy, vol. 111, pp. 921-929, November 2013, doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.06.037.
  • Zamboni G., Prati M.V., Carraro C., Malfettani S., Costagliola M. A., Meccariello G., Marelli S., Capobianco M. Influence of Driving Cycles on Powered Two-Wheelers Emissions, Fuel Consumption and Cold Start Behavior. SAE 2013 World Congress & Exhibition, SAE Technical Paper 2013-01-1048, 2013, doi:10.4271/2013-01-1048. Published in SAE Special Publication 2340 “Emission Measurements and Testing, 2013”, ISBN 978-0-7680-8006-3, p. 65-77, 2013.
  • Prati M. V., Zamboni G., Costagliola M. A., Meccariello G., Carraro C., Capobianco M. Influence of driving cycles on Euro 3 scooter emissions and fuel consumption. Energy Conversion and Management 52, pp. 3327-3336, 2011, doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2011.06.004.

Last update 19 January 2022