Fuelling change

Ricardo has helped shape the new US fuel-economy rules that will come into force in 2011.

The UK-based automotive engineering consultancy provided technical support to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the final 2009 light-duty vehicle corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regulations.

Ricardo provided its advice to NHTSA based on technical analysis of comments received for the Notice on Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), the process through which interested parties may comment on proposed US regulations.

Ricardo assessed the comments on the basis of cost and effectiveness of fuel-saving technologies.

The work required systems-engineering expertise encompassing petrol and diesel technology, hybrid propulsion, transmission and driveline systems, controls and electronics and vehicle engineering.

Ricardo’s work for NHTSA builds upon previous support provided by the company to US authorities, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Academy of Sciences and branches of the military.

Ricardo has also provided technical guidance to regulatory authorities in Europe and Asia, ensuring that future regulation is feasible and practical from a manufacturing and technology standpoint.