Effect of Low Ambient Temperature on Emissions and Electric Range of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Abstract

and also electric range from two very different PHEVs, one Euro 6 parallel plug-in hybrid and one range-extended battery electric vehicle (BEVx), applying the new world harmonized light-duty test procedure at ambient temperatures equal to 23 and -7 °C. The impact of using a cabin air heating system on vehicle electric range and emissions at cold temperature has also been studied. Cold ambient temperatures and, to a larger extent, the use of heating systems have been shown to lead to a pronounced negative impact on emissions and shorter electric ranges. Results also show that modern PHEVs can emit similar, or even higher, levels of pollutants (e.g., particle number) as Euro 6 conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles.