Abstract:The objectives of the study were to identify developments in hybrid-electric driveline technologies and hybrid vehicles using internal combustion engines (ICE) and to assess the effects of these developments on vehicle fuel economy and fuel quality over the next twenty years. The emphasis in the study is on light-duty vehicles including passenger cars, light trucks, vans, and SUVs.

The study focused on the following general areas: (1) formulation of a taxonomy/framework for characterizing hybrid-electric driveline and vehicle designs, (2) in-depth analysis of the characteristics of specific hybrid vehicle designs in terms of acceleration, fuel economy, emissions, fuel quality requirements, and incremental cost utilizing vehicle simulation programs and detailed cost breakdowns based on the cost of the electric drive components, (3) summary of the marketing pathways for hybrid vehicles and projected effects of those markets on the fuels business in the next twenty year, (4) identification of additional work on vehicle modeling, new engine developments and fuel requirements, energy and environmental policies, and components cost projections required to reduce uncertainties in the fuels business projections.