Vehicle Testing in ENEA Drive-train Test Facility

Among the research and development subjects of ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technology, Energy and Environment) an important theme is the study of innovative vehicles with high energy efficiency and low emissions. ENEA has set up an infrastructure in order to execute research and development activity for hybrid and electrical vehicles. The paper deals with features and working methods throughout the testing campaign on the ALTRA minibus drive-train, a 6m. series hybrid developed by IVECO and ANSALDO. The test demonstrated that the energy consumption is strong correlated to the power management strategy. Subsequently, a testing work was carried on with a controller developed by ENEA and University of Pisa, by using the roll bench of ENEA, while the IVECO tested on the road an other control system. All these tests convalidates the need of a controller to achieve fuel economy.