Towards Simpler Approaches for Assessing Fuel Efficiency and CO[sub.2] Emissions of Vehicle Engines in Real Traffic Conditions Using On-Board Diagnostic Data

• Published in: Energies (Basel) 2024-10, Vol.17 (19)
• Main Authors: Rosero, Fredy, Rosero, Carlos Xavier, Segovia, Carlos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Energy efficiency; Energy minerals; Energy use; Fossil fuels; Greenhouse gases; Local transit
• ISSN: 1996-1073; 1996-1073
• DOI: 10.3390/en17194814

Discrepancies between laboratory vehicle performance and real-world traffic conditions have been reported in numerous studies. In response, emission and fuel regulatory frameworks started incorporating real-world traffic evaluations and vehicle monitoring using portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) and on-board diagnostic (OBD) data. However, in regions with technical and economic constraints, such as Latin America, the use of PEMS is often limited, highlighting the need for low-cost methodologies to assess vehicle performance. OBD interfaces provide extensive vehicle and engine operational data in this context, offering a valuable alternative for analyzing vehicle performance in real-world conditions. This study proposes a straightforward methodology for assessing vehicle fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide (CO[sub.2]) emissions under real-world traffic conditions using OBD data. An experimental campaign was conducted with three gasoline-powered passenger vehicles representative of the Ecuadorian fleet, operating as urban taxis in Ibarra, Ecuador. This methodology employs an OBD interface paired with a mobile phone data logging application to capture vehicle kinematics, engine parameters, and fuel consumption. These data were used to develop engine maps and assess vehicle performance using the vehicle-specific power (VSP) approach based on the energy required for vehicle propulsion. Additionally, VSP analysis combined with OBD data facilitated the development of an energy-emission model to characterize fuel consumption and CO[sub.2] emissions for the tested vehicles. The results demonstrate that OBD systems effectively monitor vehicle performance in real-world conditions, offering crucial insights for improving urban transportation sustainability. Consequently, OBD data serve as a critical resource for research supporting decarbonization efforts in Latin America.