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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (pHEVs) could represent the stepping stone to move towards a more sustainable mobility and combine the benefits of electric powertrains with the high range capability of conventional vehicles. Nevertheless, despite the huge potential in terms of CO2 emissions reduction, the performance of such vehicles has to be deeply investigated in real world driving conditions considering also the CO2 production related to battery recharge which, on the contrary, is currently only partially considered by the European regulation to foster the diffusion of pHEVs. Therefore, this paper aims to assess, through numerical simulation, the real performance of a test case pHEV, the energy management system (EMS) of which is targeted to the minimization of its overall CO2 emissions. The paper highlights, at the same time, the relevance of the CO2 production related to the battery recharge from the power grid. Different technologies mixes used to produce the electricity required for the battery recharge are also taken into account in order to assess the influence of this parameter on the vehicle CO2 emissions. Finally, since the operating cost still represents the main driver in orienting the customer's choice, an alternative approach for the EMS, targeted to the minimization of this variable, is also analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, electric vehicles represent a promising solution for reducing the fuel consumption (and thus the carbon dioxide emission) and the pollutant emissions of road vehicles, especially in highly congested urban areas, although their driving range and usability still limit the customer acceptance even for a city car application. Extended-range electric vehicles may partly overcome these limitations, having an auxiliary power unit which can provide electrical energy to the powertrain once the battery has been depleted. On the other hand, the operations of such an auxiliary power unit should be almost completely unnoticeable in order to avoid any impacts on the electric driving experience, resulting in considerably reduced drive-related noise. Therefore the aim of this work is the design, through numerical simulation, of a powertrain controller capable of minimizing the carbon dioxide emission of a range-extended electric vehicle and, at the same time, avoiding any discomfort for the passenger related to the auxiliary power unit operations. Starting from the development of a powertrain controller focused on minimization of the carbon dioxide emission of the vehicle, the main noise targets will be defined and their effects on the energy management system will be analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]