Noise emission assessment of a hybrid electric mid-size truck

• Published in: Applied acoustics 2014-02, Vol.76, p.280-290
• Main Authors: Pallas, M.A., Chatagnon, R., Lelong, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustics; Applied sciences; Engine noise; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Hybrid electric truck; Mechanics; Noise source; Noise: its effects and control; Physics; Road transportation and traffic; Rolling noise; Truck noise; Vertical directivity
• ISSN: 0003-682X; 1872-910X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2013.08.012

•Noise emission comparison of a hybrid delivery truck and an equivalent ICE truck.•The hybrid truck is particularly relevant if a full-electric mode is available.•In electric mode, the noise benefit may exceed 8dB(A) at low speed.•The electric mode is still valuable under acceleration or braking.•The noise emission is even lower upwards, of concern for residents on upper floors. In the attempt to improve urban environmental conditions, city or national incentives encourage the use of cleaner vehicles, including hybrid electric vehicles. This paper explores the actual noise impact of this alternative drivetrain technology on the noise emission of a mid-size delivery truck powered by a parallel hybrid powertrain, compared with an equivalent internal combustion engine truck on the basis of pass-by noise measurements. It investigates jointly the overall emission, the main noise sources and the vertical directivity of the vehicle. The essential benefit results from the existence of a full-electric mode below 50km/h, with a significant noise reduction which may exceed 8dB(A) at low constant speed. Even if smaller, this noise advantage is still valuable when the vehicle is accelerating or braking. Due to weaker noise emitted upwards, the benefit should be even greater for residents living on upper building floors. The rolling noise associated with the drive wheel/road contact is the main noise source in all driving situations in electric mode, and beyond 50km/h in the configurations with engine.