Ricardo, Inc., an independent engineering firm specializing in fuel economy and vehicle efficiency, has responded to the new 35-mile-per-gallon CAFE standards by unveiling a new engineering service for automakers. The new TVFE(TM) (Total Vehicle Fuel Economy) is based on Ricardo's unique in-depth understanding of the design and control of complete powertrain and vehicle systems. It employs a systems approach that quickly identifies, validates and implements the most cost-effective strategies to achieve light-vehicle fuel economy and CO2 goals. TVFE also can be applied to commercial vehicle and military sectors. "Manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers must determine how to meet these very aggressive fuel economy targets in the most cost-effective manner. TVFE brings them a unique systems approach that optimizes the cost-benefit-ratio to deliver fuel economy improvements," says Dean Harlow, president of Ricardo, Inc. "It addresses and resolves the difficult challenges created when individual fuel-saving technologies can actually work against each other if fuel economy is not approached from a total vehicle perspective. "TVFE's in-depth, holistic approach brings an unbiased view of all alternatives and how they can best be integrated to work together," Harlow adds. "This clears the way for faster decision-making so automakers can meet the new CAFE regulations. Plus, it's an appealing solution for OEMs and suppliers with limited resources who could benefit from an objective third-party perspective." TVFE was developed to provide the industry with an independent, unbiased approach to maximize efficiencies, minimize energy losses and decrease loads on the vehicle. TVFE is based on comprehensive, system-level simulations, validated at the component level with a comprehensive set of metrics that provide an objective evaluation of all relevant data, enabling the development of sound business cases based on all available technologies. The TVFE process integrates vehicle systems so they work together in a complementary manner to achieve the highest possible efficiency. Sandy Stojkovski, Ricardo's director of vehicle engineering, will lead the TVFE service offering. "Achieving maximum fuel efficiency is not necessarily a matter of developing more advanced technologies," Stojkovski says. "To a large extent the technologies to meet the demand for higher fuel economy without compromising the performance and comfort that consumers demand are available to automakers right now. It's really a question of cost and the relative commercial viability of these technologies, because consumers have not yet shown their willingness to pay the full price for them." TVFE draws on Ricardo's almost 100 years of experience in maximizing fuel efficiency and performance. The company is deeply involved in research and development of advanced technologies in powertrains, controls and vehicle engineering including advanced gasoline and diesel engines, fuel cells, hybrid and electric propulsion systems, and dual-clutch transmissions. For more information about Ricardo, Inc., visit the company's Web site. |
