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Hybrid vehicles provide the most viable medium term solution to meet the demands of the automotive marketplace. Currently electric hybrids dominate the marketplace but mechanical hybrid systems, including flywheel, pneumatic and hydraulic systems all have the potential to compete with electrical systems. This paper provides an overview of a mechanical hybrid project created by the University of Warwick. The aim of the project is to assess alternative hybrid powertrains, in particular pneumatic, hydraulic and flywheel systems. This paper provides a description of a simulation tool to investigate and evaluate the mechanical alternatives to electric hybrid vehicles and the results from two fuel economy case studies using the simulation tool: 2.6 ton SUV and 17 ton bus applications. The paper also outlines a feasibility study of the mechanical hybrid options, including a cost benefit analysis of the different systems.

This paper describes the theoretical basis and application of a computer model developed for analysing the thermal performance of vehicle heating and cooling systems. The model has a modular structure such that component submodels can be added, modified or changed in order to conduct parametric studies to examine the effects of various design and operating parameters on thermal performance. The model can provide useful information at the early stages of the design of the cooling system by enabling the development engineer to predict performance trends. Details of each submodel are described together with the overall structure of the vehicle model. The model application is shown by presenting a few test cases and model predictions are compared with measured data. The future potential of the model, as a design analysis tool, and its role in vehicle development programmes are also examined.