Simulation of BSFC for WHTC using VECTO Engine and VECTO Vehicle Engineering Mode for various VMS and Field Test data

Abstract

VECTO (Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool) is a simulation software tool developed by the European Commission to calculate and assess the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). It is specifically designed for trucks and buses and is used to support the implementation of EU regulations on CO2 emissions from HDVs. The Version of the tool used in this study is VECTOv3.3.10.2401. It aims to provide a standardized and transparent methodology for measuring and reporting the energy efficiency of HDVs. VECTO takes into account specific Engine test data along with various factors that influence fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, including vehicle characteristics, such as weight, aerodynamics, axle configurations, rolling resistance and drive train efficiency, as well as operational parameters like speed, road grade, and vehicle load. The tool enables manufacturers to input data related to their vehicle models, including technical specifications and test results. It uses this information to calculate the vehicle's energy consumption and CO2 emissions based on simulated driving cycles. The driving cycles represent typical real-world driving conditions and are based on different vehicle categories. This study consists of VECTO Engine WHTC simulation and VECTO Vehicle Simulation in Engineering Mode and Engine Only Mode. VECTO Engine simulation targets to simulate WHTC cycles with minimum BSFC deviations with test cell WHTC runs. In the present work, several WHTC simulation runs were conducted and BSFC deviations were compared with test cell results. In VECTO Engineering mode simulation different VMS and Field route cycles were simulated for a 1923 tipper with 5.6L OBD2 Cummins Diesel Engine with 950DD gearbox. Several runs were conducted with changing various parameters in Engineering Mode. Several Engine Only Mode simulations were conducted over load cycles generated from respective VMS and Field runs. The simulation output of Engineering and Engine Only Mode speed-torque/ speed-gradient profile were compared with respective Field data and VMS data to verify the capability of the VECTO tool to run as per the input route/load cycle. Simulation output BSFC and CO2 emissions compared with respective VMS and Field values further verifies the simulation capability of the VECTO tool be used as a simulation tool for vehicle and engine simulation for experimentation, validation and research purposes.