HEV TECHNOLOGIES @ STRATH

As a final aspect of the group's assessment of the selected architecture, there was a review of existing, similar vehicles & comparisons drawn. The table below summarises resultant outcomes of the process; where-in the proposed concept is segregated for identification.

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At present, there are no vehicles on sale today which fit the defined architecture, outlined above; that of a Grid-Dependent, Petrol, Parallel, Compact SUV. Therefore, the group elected to assess a number of vehicles of similar, yet distinct, architectures. These include several grid-independent (non-plug-in compatible) Compact SUVs which employ parallel architectures and also several grid-dependent, mid-sized, luxury-oriented SUVs which employ parallel hybrids. The group feel such a decision effectively portrays the following intentions;

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- Merger of the lightweight chassis & dimensions of the Compacts with the larger on-board storage capacity capabilities of the Large SUVs

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- Employing a small yet feasibly-sized FWD drive-train, demonstrated as viable by Compacts, with compromise of "adequate" performance

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- The use grid-dependence & on-board energy storage comparable to the Large SUVs to achieve significant CO2 reductions & high MPG

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In addition, Conventional ICE nameplates available today which are of comparable performance & drive-train to the proposed concept are presented, namely as a means of demonstrating the significant improvements to MPG, Cost per MPG & CO2 emissions though attainable.

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N.B. it is explicitly the chassis type represented by the Mercedes GLA & Auid Q3 that the group proposes is utilised; principally as such vehicles are suitably priced, even considering  both grants AND an increased cost & complexity of manufacture, and as their increased ride height in comparison to their otherwise identical-chassis hatch counterparts facilitates room for underfloor battery placement.

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Notable is that the group discovered following performance of this review that numerous manufactures are in the process of developing HEV architectures which are equivalent to that which the Project Group is proposing following thorough investigation & critical analysis. The Group were rather excited to discover this as served as means of validating our efforts (Refer to links below for details).

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1) Kia developing a grid-dependent Niro with a larger capacity energy storage unit, more in-line with Project Group K proposals. It must be noted that just 25mi of all electric range will be offered, falling short of Project Group K's estimated requirements [1].

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2) Luxury automaker Maserati are developing a HEV Levante variant capable of up to 30mi all-electric range; though this will be niche [2].

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3) Mercedes are developing an improved variant of the ~£40k OTR GLC350e; to be capable of up to 31mi EV range [3].

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