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World Electric Vehicle Journal is published by MDPI from Volume 9 issue 1 (2018). Previous articles were published by The World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA) and its member the European Association for e-Mobility (AVERE), the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), and the Electric Vehicle Association of Asia Pacific (EVAAP). They are hosted by MDPI on mdpi.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with AVERE.
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Article

Chevrolet Volt On-Road Test Programs in Canada. Part 2: Evaluation of Gasoline Displacement and Extreme Weather Performance in Comparison with Other Vehicles Types

by
Hajo Ribberink
1,*,
Aaron Loiselle-Lapointe
2 and
Aaron Conde
2
1
Natural Resources Canada, 1 Haanel Drive, Ottawa, Canada K1A 1M1
2
Environment Canada, 335 River Road, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0H3
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
World Electr. Veh. J. 2015, 7(1), 154-165; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj7010154
Published: 27 March 2015

Abstract

Two test programs were conducted to investigate the on-road performance of model year 2012 Chevrolet Volts in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Specific testing routes were defined for various types of city and highway driving. Data loggers and additional instrumentation were installed in the vehicles to accurately monitor variables indicating the use of electricity for driving, as well as the use of fuel by the gasoline engine. The vehicles were tested during various seasons of the year to record their performance over the full range of climate conditions representative for a large part of Canada (from -27 °C to +37 °C). The test results were subsequently processed and analysed to compare the Volt’s performance in charge depletion mode (electric drive) to its operation in charge sustaining mode (hybrid drive). A ‘Gasoline Displacement Factor’ was introduced, which reflects the amount of grid electricity needed to replace one litre of gasoline used for driving the Volt. Test results show very low Gasoline Displacement Factors of 2 – 3.5 kWh/L for summer driving, while values of 3 – 9 kWh/L were observed for winter driving. The test results were also used to evaluate the additional amount of energy that the vehicles would need for driving, and cabin conditioning (heating in winter, air conditioning in summer) under conditions different from the more optimal 20-25 °C temperature range used for most standard performance tests. The Volt’s relative performance under extreme temperature conditions was compared to those of conventional gasoline vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. Additionally, recommendations for a more optimal use of the Volt under extreme temperature conditions are provided.
Keywords: Electric vehicle; On-road testing; Extreme temperatures; Performance; Gasoline displacement Electric vehicle; On-road testing; Extreme temperatures; Performance; Gasoline displacement

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ribberink, H.; Loiselle-Lapointe, A.; Conde, A. Chevrolet Volt On-Road Test Programs in Canada. Part 2: Evaluation of Gasoline Displacement and Extreme Weather Performance in Comparison with Other Vehicles Types. World Electr. Veh. J. 2015, 7, 154-165. https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj7010154

AMA Style

Ribberink H, Loiselle-Lapointe A, Conde A. Chevrolet Volt On-Road Test Programs in Canada. Part 2: Evaluation of Gasoline Displacement and Extreme Weather Performance in Comparison with Other Vehicles Types. World Electric Vehicle Journal. 2015; 7(1):154-165. https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj7010154

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ribberink, Hajo, Aaron Loiselle-Lapointe, and Aaron Conde. 2015. "Chevrolet Volt On-Road Test Programs in Canada. Part 2: Evaluation of Gasoline Displacement and Extreme Weather Performance in Comparison with Other Vehicles Types" World Electric Vehicle Journal 7, no. 1: 154-165. https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj7010154

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