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Battery technologies of different chemistries, manufacture and geometry were evaluated as candidates for use in Electric Vehicles (EV). The candidate batteries that were evaluated include four single cell and seven multi-cell modules representing four technologies; Lead-Acid, Nickel-Cadmium, Nickel-Metal Hydride and Zinc-Bromide. A standard set of testing procedures for electric vehicle batteries, based on industry accepted testing procedures, and any tests which were specific to individual battery types were used in the evaluations. The batteries were evaluated by conducting performance tests, and by subjecting them to cyclical loading, using a computer controlled charge - discharge cycler, to simulate typical EV driving cycles. Criteria for comparison of batteries were: performance, projected vehicle range, cost, and applicability to various types of EVs. The four battery technologies have individual strengths and weaknesses and each is suited to fill a particular application.

The feasibility of using exhaust temperatures and injector nozzle needle lift duration to predict power output and fuel consumption of a diesel engine was investigated using an instrumented John Deere 4440 tractor. Using data obtained during a series of PTO dynamometer experiments, regression models were determined correlating the needle lift duration, exhaust temperatures, and engine speed with the parameters of interest. The models were subsequently tested under normal tractor operating conditions on a commercial farm. Fuel flow and engine power output were accurately predicted from engine speed and needle lift duration and both these variables could be measured using one needle lift sensor. Engine power estimation from exhaust temperature measurements proved unsatisfactory due to the slow speed of response to changes in engine load.