Advancing Technology 

New vehicle technologies can lessen impact on the environment by reducing pollution. Many new automobile technologies take advantage of energy sources that are renewable or drastically reduce the amount of traditional fuel needed to get us where we need to go. Below are descriptions of several technologies. Options like these are used by auto manufacturers to meet Oregon's Low Emission Vehicle requirements. Hybrid, Electric, Plug-in, Flexible Fuel, and Fuel Cell Vehicles Engine Technologies that Reduce Emissions and Save Fuel Other Automotive Technology Resources

Hybrid, Electric, Plug-in, Flexible Fuel, and Fuel Cell Vehicles

• US Department of Energy - Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center
• US Department of Energy - Vehicle Technologies Program
• Oregon Department of Transportation - Oregon's Electric Vehicle Charging Network
• Plug-in hybrids - California Cars Initiative
• Vehicle technologies research - National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• Compare vehicles at www.fueleconomy.gov

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Engine Technologies that Reduce Emissions and Save Fuel

More information about the technologies described below can be found at www.fueleconomy.gov, a joint website of the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA.

Variable Valve Timing and Lift (VVT&L)	Variable valve timing and lift is a measure of the height and duration of the valve opening. Most spark gasoline engines use a fixed valve lift, where the valve lift does not change with the speed and load of the engine. Variable lift allows the period of valve opening to vary based on need, which reduces pumping losses and valve train frictional loss but increases compression ratio, and also reduces idle speed.
Cylinder Deactivation	Cylinder deactivation allows engines to operate on half their cylinders during certain operating modes. Generally, such systems “shut down” cylinders by electronically turning off the fuel injector during light load operation so that the engine operates with efficiency similar to that of an engine with fewer pistons.
Turbocharging and Supercharging	Turborcharging and supercharging are driven impellers or vanes that force compressed air into the cylinders of an engine. The difference between a turbocharger and a supercharger is how it is powered. A turbocharger is powered by exhaust from the engine. A supercharger is powered by the engine through a mechanical connect. This technology increases engine power allowing manufacturers to use smaller engines without a loss in performance.
Direct Fuel Injection (with Turbocharging or Supercharging)	Direct fuel injection allows fuel to be injected directly into the cylinder so the timing and shape of the fuel mist can be controlled in a more precise manner. This uses fuel more efficiently because of the higher compression ratios while at the same time reduces fuel consumption.
Integrated Starter/Generator (ISG)	An integrated starter or generator will automatically turn the engine off at a stop, then restart the engine instantaneously when accelerating. When used in hybrid vehicles, this system can include regenerative braking technology, used to convert energy lost in braking into electricity which can then be stored in a battery and used to power the automatic starter.
Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)	An automated manual transmission operates like a manual transmission but without a clutch and is a combination of manual and automatic transmissions making the shifting process smoother.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)	Continuously variable transmissions control the ratio between engine speed and wheel speed, using a pair of variable-diameter pulleys connected by a belt or a chain that can produce an infinite number of engine and wheel speed ratios
Dual Clutch Transmission	A dual clutch transmission is an automated transmission that changes gears faster than other geared transmissions while delivering more power and better control than a traditional automatic transmission.
Camless Valve Actuation World Clean Energy Awards University of South Carolina	Camless valve actuation expands upon the concept of variable valve timing and lift by completely eliminating the camshaft and mechanical valve actuation mechanism from the cylinder head. In place of the camshaft mechanism, valve motion is actuated and controlled through either electrical energy or hydraulic energy. This can occur over a wide range of engine operating conditions.
Variable Compression Ratio	In standard engines, the compression ratio is fixed across all operating conditions based on cylinder geometry. Variable compression ratio increases efficiency by altering the cylinder compression ratio. New engine designs can mechanically vary cylinder geometry. This allows for engines that can operate at a high-compression ratio under partial or light-load conditions and at a lower compression ratio under heavy-load conditions.
Low Rolling Resistance Tires	Low rolling resistance tires reduce resistance between the tire and the road through improved tread, shoulder designs, and use of other improved materials for tire belt and traction surfaces. Rolling resistance is a measure of the force required to move the tires of a vehicle forward. When multiplied by the radius of the tire, this force gives the resistive torque that must be overcome by the engine to put the vehicle in motion and keep it in motion.

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Other Automotive Technology Resources

Clean Automotive Technology

• USEPA
• Green Car Congress

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Technologies

• US Department of Energy - Light Duty Vehicles
• US Department of Energy - Heavy Duty Vehicles

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