The CO2 Challenge Beyond 2020: Legislation Framework for PHEV in EU and in Japan

Electrification of motor vehicles is viewed as one of the most viable ways in reducing CO2, pollutants emission and hence, petroleum dependency. However, as the electric car deals were taking off, the COVID 19 pandemic resulted in the lockdown on activity and brought car sales and dealerships to a virtual halt; whilst, emission regulations and CO2 2020/21 standards remain in force in spite of a couple of deft calls for delay. The question is: is hybridization a crucial step toward sustainable environment? Is it only the European duty to spare the planet? What about APAC region, in particular Japan? This master’s thesis was carried out at STELLANTIS-Italy, in Vehicle Safety and Regulation Compliance (VSRC) department in collaboration with Polytechnic of Turin University (Turin, Italy), acquired by a double degree agreement with Lebanese University – Faculty of Engineering (Beirut, Lebanon). As an emission homologation specialist engineer at STELLANTIS, I was able to develop my thesis topic accordingly. This report provides a comparative study on the differences between the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and Japan’s legislation on transport emissions. Covering the emission limit standards themselves, their implementation and enforcement systems, including homologation type approval tests for light duty vehicles. Taking into consideration pure internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in in specific (OVC-HEV). Moreover, a deep investigation of emission experimental test results regarding Parallel-Through-The-Road Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PTTR PHEV); pointing out the similarities and divergence of results according to the European and Japanese regulations. This comparison will be conducted on several aspects: emission families, emission type-approval tests, fuel consumption, utility factor …etc. Furthermore, Eco-Innovations and their interactions will be studied. Exploring their required specification and working principles, performing several verification tests on different technologies and their engine deployment in a comparison with reference to NEDC and WLTP. Moreover, evaluating their effect in reducing CO2 emissions on Diesel and Gasoline fueled engines. Finally, as a conclusion perceived according the analysis done and tests results, it can be clearly shown the similarity in the base of the legislation between European and Japan with a slight difference related to the geographical and traffic congestion aspects. Shedding light on the limits, we can recognize the slight difference leading to have more stringent emission regulations in United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Moreover, this thesis reported the advantages of electrification of motor vehicles starting from new eco-innovation technologies in increasing fuel efficiency leading to higher CO2 savings, reaching a full hybrid electrification with juxtaposing emission numerical results regarding transition from pure ICE to a PTTR OVC-HEV.