Increase of the energy efficiency of passenger cars using different types of transmissions

Abstract

One of the main parameters to increase the energy efficiency is to reduce fuel consumption. For this purpose a number of vehicles fuel economy standards (FE) are introduced. They are being implemented all over the world in order to conserve energy and for reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. In this paper, it has been discussed how different types of transmission technology could contribute on fuel economy and energy efficiency of passenger cars. Different types of transmission (automatic transmission, manual gear transmission or continuously variable transmission - CVT) differently influence fuel consumption. For examples, the CVT offers high fuel economy, presumably because it ensures a low brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) driving condition with its continuously variable ratio characteristics. Also, it is shown that automatic transmissions are almost always less energy efficient than manual transmissions due mainly to viscous and pumping losses. The practical use of the increase of the energy efficiency of passenger cars using different types of transmissions is based on the comparison reviews investigating fuel consumption and acceleration characteristics of passenger cars with different type transmission concepts which show the significant advantages offered by new transmission concepts currently being launched as volume production models.