Energy consumption of an electric, a petrol and a diesel powered light goods vehicle in central london traffic. Final report for 1978

Technical Report ·

OSTI ID:6530378

Wood, R A; Downing, B R; Pearce, T C

The consumption of primary energy by diesel, petrol and electric versions of a light van was compared under high-density urban traffic conditions. The vehicles were driven repeatedly round a 10km route in Central London and measurements of fuel consumption, distance travelled and time were made for each route section. Multiple regression analysis established vehicle sensitivities to variations in average speed, payload, road type, regenerated energy (electric vehicle), kinetic energy, weather and driver. The diesel vehicle used primary energy more efficiently than either the petrol or the electric vehicle over the entire speed range observed, the ratio of energy consumption (diesel:petrol:electric) being 100:185:198 at the average speed during the experiment (17.58km/h). The petrol vehicle was more efficient than the electric over most of the speed range, but was less efficient at speeds below about 14km/h. It is concluded that the diesel vehicle is the most efficient for urban delivery duties.

• Research Organization: Transport and Road Research Lab., Crowthorne (UK)
• OSTI ID: 6530378
• Report Number(s): PB-82-253329
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320203* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Land & Roadway
DIESEL ENGINES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENGINES
FUEL CONSUMPTION
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
MATHEMATICS
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
STATISTICS
TRUCKS
URBAN AREAS
VEHICLES