Environment

Over the next two decades, automotive technology will transform to meet common environmental objectives around the world, with a focus on vehicle electrification, high-efficiency engines and renewable fuels.  There is growing sentiment in the US and Europe that future economic growth and stability should go hand-in-hand with environmental, energy efficient technology development and deployment.

TSS is actively working with test environments for a sustainable transport system with the aim of strengthening the development of future vehicles.

The relationship between governments and industry has changed, adapting to the economic realities while maintaining a strong environmental perspective.  And coordinated governmental actions will minimize the economic barriers to environmental, energy efficient technology development and deployment. 

In particular, as the automotive industry transforms to produce more and more plug-in vehicles (both hybrid and electric), governments should facilitate harmonization to minimize investment and recurring costs due only to borders between countries.  Not only will automotive manufacturers and suppliers benefit, but electric power providers will be able to standardize the interface, in turn bolstering consumer confidence and acceptance – a necessary requirement for the environmental benefits of this technology transformation to be realized. Large scale test and demonstrations are important parts of the harmonization activities.

Vehicle electrification has many technical challenges.  TSS is investing to accelerate the development of test and demonstration environments for batteries and electric drive components and complete vehicles. Standardizing the associated test procedures and protocols will allow transportability and interoperability between countries, companies and vehicles. Global vehicle manufacturers and suppliers are designing products to be introduced in the near future; harmonization decisions must be made at the same accelerated pace.