Vehicle Emission Performance with an Electrically Heated Converter System

A 1990 Olds Cutlass Calais with GM's Quad-4 engine was outfitted with a Camet® EHC system and tested for FTP emission performance after 4000 road miles. EHC operation on this vehicle reduced NMHC and CO F17P emissions by 77% and 67%, respectively, versus the vehicle's stock catalyst configuration. Absolute NHMC and CO FTP emissions were below California's ULEV 50,000 mile standards with EHC operation. EHC heating strategy tests showed that a post-engine start heating schedule was nearly as effective as a pre-start heating schedule in reducing cold start hydrocarbon and CO emissions. Tests comparing vehicle and emission performance with different engine control parameters indicated no change in EHC effectiveness with respect to cold start emissions for the two calibrations evaluated here.