The importance of hybrid vehicles in urban traffic in terms of environmental impact

Šarkan, Branislav; Gnap, Jozef; Kiktová, Monika · 2019 · Crossref

DOI: 10.14669/am.vol85.art8

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Summary

This study investigates the environmental benefits of hybrid vehicles in urban traffic, addressing the persistent air quality issues in European cities despite technological improvements in conventional powertrains. With road transport being a major source of harmful emissions and greenhouse gases, the authors aim to quantify the reduction in pollutant production achieved by hybrid propulsion compared to conventional internal combustion engines. The research is motivated by the need to mitigate health risks for residents and comply with increasingly strict EU emission standards, which impose financial penalties for exceeding CO2 limits. The methodology involved practical tests conducted in Žilina, Slovakia, during peak traffic hours. The test vehicle was a Toyota RAV4 hybrid equipped with a 2494 cm³ petrol engine and two electric motors, providing a combined power of 145 kW. The vehicle traveled a 10 km route between the University of Žilina campus and the city center. Data collection utilized a Maha MGT 5 exhaust gas analyzer to measure HC, CO, CO2, O2, and NOX emissions, alongside an OBD diagnostic tool (ELM327) to record engine control unit data such as intake air mass, speed, and RPM. Emissions were calculated in grams per kilometer using established methodologies that correlate intake air data with exhaust composition. These results were compared against previous measurements of the same model operating with conventional propulsion on the identical route. The results demonstrated significant operational differences between the hybrid and conventional modes. During urban driving, the hybrid vehicle operated on electric power for 67.70% to 75.40% of the time, primarily during low-speed travel, steady cruising, deceleration, and while stationary at intersections. The petrol engine was engaged mainly for high-acceleration requests. Consequently, the hybrid vehicle produced substantially lower emissions. Specifically, CO2 emissions ranged from 123.21 to 136.35 g/km for the hybrid, compared to 156.40–170.36 g/km for the conventional vehicle. Similarly, HC and NOX emissions were markedly reduced in the hybrid tests, with NOX dropping to near-zero levels (0.00001–0.00015 g/km) compared to 0.0067–0.0101 g/km in the conventional tests. The study concludes that hybrid propulsion offers a viable solution for reducing urban air pollution, particularly for pollutants contributing to global warming and health risks. The findings support the promotion of alternative propulsion types to meet stringent regulatory frameworks, such as the EU’s CO2 limits and Real Driving Emissions (RDE) requirements. By significantly lowering CO2, HC, and NOX outputs in real-world urban conditions, hybrid vehicles help mitigate the environmental burden of road transport, offering a practical step toward greener urban mobility amidst growing vehicle fleets.

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• urban rural setting