Several years of studies and experimentation commencing in 1977 at the Canadian National Research Council, have culminated in the construction of a regenerative power train of the parallel hybrid type.
This paper presents the results of fuel economy tests conducted with the power train as installed in a North American City Bus.
Testing was carried out using the Arterial and City Business District phases of the ADB cycles, together with a 5 stop per mile, 30 mph (48 km/h) cycle. Interestingly, with an unmodified bus, the 30 mph cycle was found to require 19% more fuel than the cycle average of the Arterial and City Business District Phases.
In comparison with the same bus operating without the benefit of the regeneration package, a reduction in fuel consumption of some 17% was obtained.
Even better comparative results are expected of the same system when used in typical city driving situations.
A review of the energy balance in the current system, indicates that significant performance enhancements are feasible for a system of this type.
In addition to the reduction of fuel consumed, a corresponding reduction in the exhaust gas emissions and smoke is achieved. The system also provides the possibility of reducing the required engine power rating to achieve a given vehicle performance.