Real world fuel consumption prediction via a combined experimental and modeling technique

Abstract

This study investigates the possibility to evaluate real-world fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions based on a simulation approach and usage of generic vehicle simulation models, calibrated on the basis of experimental data recorded during on-road tests. A methodology for the development, calibration and validation of the models is described and the proposed simulation approach is applied on three Euro 6 vehicles, one diesel, one gasoline and one plug-in hybrid vehicle. The validation of the developed models is conducted using experimental data recorded during the testing campaign of the above mentioned vehicles. Furthermore, an internal database of vehicle specifications is used to derive the necessary parameters for building the simulation models. With the current study, the capabilities and the boundary conditions for the model-based assessment of real-world CO₂ emissions are investigated. Results indicate that the maximum error in the calculation is lower than 4 g/km, proving a robust simulation approach with an accuracy of ±5% for the estimation of CO₂ emissions under real world conditions.

Keywords: CO(2) emissions; Fuel consumption; RDE; Real world; Simulation.