5
YOUR GLOBAL CRAFTSMAN STUDIO
EV-ECU
ECU
EPS
DC/DC
CAN
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(100/200V)
EYE on theMARKET
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Electric vehicles, which do not consume
gasoline have also begun to penetrate
the market. These include electric
vehicles that require charging, those that
are equipped with fuel cells that generate
electricity within the car (use hydrogen
and oxygen to generate electricity and
discharge water as a result), and those
that are equipped with an engine that
acts as a generator in addition to fuel
cells. Engines for electricity generation
are also called range extenders. Various
types of range extenders, such as
reciprocating engines, rotary engines
and turbines are already commercially
available or have been proposed. They
are one of the most practical systems
for the diffusion of electric vehicles as
they utilize existing fuel infrastructures
even though they are specifically
designed to generate electricity.
Some vehicles equipped with
a range extender even deliver
a fuel efficiency of more than
60 km/L*.
Evolving fuel efficiency technologies
Various typesof electric vehiclesareemerging (thephotoshowsMitsubishiMotors i-MiEV)
The emergence of electric vehicles
EYE ON THE MARKET
* Measurement based on the JC08mode fuel economy test cycle
Some of today’s representative fuel
efficiency technologies for gasoline and
diesel vehicles include the incorporation
of a direct-fuel injection and a turbo
charger to a downsized engine that
discharges less exhaust gas than
previous engines. Naturally aspirated
gasoline engines with a compression
ratio maximized to the utmost limit and
hybrid systems that utilize both engine
and electric motors are other examples.
Low prices and running costs have also
beenstronglydemandedby consumersof
Japan’s category of small vehicles called
“kei cars”. For this reason, all the latest
available technologies have been applied
to the development of fuel efficiency
enhancement, with the result that kei
cars now deliver greater fuel saving
performance than regular passenger
cars. In fact, models have emerged that
deliver fuel efficiency that far exceeds
30 km/L*.
Diverse technologies that
continue to evolve for
environmental conservation
Key components of the i-MiEV
(systemconfiguration diagram)
The drive battery and other key components for electrification are installed under the floor.
ɓ Offers the same in-car space and luggage space as the base car.
ɓ The passenger space is separated fromhigh-voltage wires to ensure safety.
ɓ The lower gravity centre of the body contributes to excellent handling.
A compact, high-efficiencymotor is adopted and installed in the rear
(same rear-wheel drive as the base car).
A large-volume drive battery is installed to realize sufficient cruising distance
for the daily use for a kei car.
Energy diversification (independence fromoil, resource
conservation)
ɓ Recycling technologies
ɓ CNG technologies
ɓ Utilization of bio-fuels (ethanol ratio)
ɓ FCV
ɓ HEV
ɓ Catalyst technologies
ɓ Greater dissemination of low-emission vehicles
ɓ Elimination of the use of organic substances
(in advance of regulations and voluntary targets)
ɓ Variable displacement engines
ɓ Clean diesel engines
ɓ High-efficiency transmissions
ɓ Variable valve systemengines
Elimination of the use of organic substances (in advance of
regulations and voluntary targets)
Prevention of global warming
Battery management unit
Combinationmeter
Negative pressure
motor pump
Accelerator
Brake
Selector lever
Cell monitor unit
battery module
Air condition
compressor
Heater
Invertor
Battery charger
Transmission
Motor
Battery
