Small but significant gains – testing for AC efficiency

The US Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will release a draft technical assessment report (TAR) for emissions and fuel economy standards through MY2022 to MY2025 in June 2016. The report will then be subjected to public comment before a final determination of the rules is published in April 2018.

To meet these forthcoming regulations, OEMs have been investing in a large variety of technologies. Common areas of development include the powertrain, lightweighting and aerodynamics. Other areas are less obvious, but can also provide significant benefits when it comes to emissions reduction and fuel economy improvement.