Applications of our Research
The WMG Hybrid Vehicles Project Team is based at the University of Warwick. Our collaborative partners in
the project range from OEMs and suppliers, through national government, to local government and end-user
representatives.
The mission of the Team is to provide support and technical expertise on eco-friendly vehicle and sustainable
transportation solutions as well as providing mechanisms to disseminate the results of the research, always
respecting the confidentiality of our partners.
Azure Dynamics – Urban Delivery
Vehicle Concept
Azure Dynamics, based in Kenilworth, wanted to
look at the commercial viability developing a
hybrid urban delivery vehicle for a potential
specific target customer.
The analysis undertaken by the WMG Hybrid
Team in conjunction with Azure required the use
of both WARPSTAR and the Cost Benefit Analysis
Tool adopting the key stages process summarised
below.
User profiling ensures that the right hybrid vehicle
powertrain architecture is selected to meet the
customer requirements and also to ensure that an
appropriate real-world drive cycle is created.
In this case, the profile was of an urban postal
collection service, with the vehicle based in an out
© 2007 University of Warwick
of town hub. The vehicles are used on two cycles
per day, and so there is no opportunity to recharge
the batteries from the mains.
A drive cycle was created which reflected the
increase in payload through the collection cycle and
the legislative requirement to turn the engine off
during collections.
The hybrid concept was based on the conversion of
a conventional vehicle. Intervention in the
powertrain was limited. A number of appropriate
simulation models for different architectures were
developed in WARPSTAR.
Due to the high frequency of stop start driving, a
mild parallel architecture was chosen, with the
electric motor connected to the engine via a drive
belt. The model was optimised to ensure that the
concept was charge sustaining. The final version
gave a 21.3% fuel saving compared to the
conventional vehicle for the same drive cycle.
This figure was utilised in the CBA tool and the
objective was to achieve a purchase premium
payback at the end of the fourth year of ownership.
A potential worse case scenario was assumed that
the purchase premium would be lost over the four
years and that the residual value would be equal to
that of the conventional vehicle. The impact on
servicing and maintenance costs were assessed
and the data inputted.
All the information together enabled a target
purchase price premium to be calculated.
A costed bill of material was created for the
concept, together with the labour costs for
undertaking the conversion. The difference between
the purchase premium and these costs gave a
figure for the amortised costs to cover research and
development, facilities and marketing costs and a
profit margin. Using a forecasted sales volume, this
enabled the calculation of the total sum available to
cover these costs.
This example illustrates how successfully both tools
are integrated and their practical application.