Intertek Leading “Real World” Testing of Alternative Energy Vehicles

17 Mar 2014

Vehicles Undergo 200,000 Miles of Street and Fleet Testing to Obtain Authentic Data Collection

Phoenix – Intertek, a leading provider of global testing, quality and safety solutions, is working with the United States Department of Energy (DoE) and several national laboratories taking the lead on collecting “real world” data on a variety of alternative energy vehicles. Testing includes vehicle performance, durability and operational costs, helping consumers and the automotive industry better understand how vehicle technologies intended to reduce the consumption of petroleum actually perform in the streets.

Testing at Intertek’s Phoenix location starts with selecting and acquiring the advanced technology-equipped vehicles directly from a dealer, just as any consumer would purchase their car. Once equipped with Intertek’s data logging systems, vehicle performance data is collected at a closed course test track, including vehicle acceleration, braking performance, top speed and full-electric range testing for vehicles that use batteries for some or all of their motive energy. One of each model being tested is also sent to one of the DoE’s national laboratories for more detailed laboratory testing and evaluation. This, and a number of other data, establishes a baseline that is compared to other vehicles tested and to the vehicle’s own performance through the life of the test.

Through various fleet operators, the vehicles are then driven daily for nearly 200,000 miles over three years, all while collecting data on the overall performance of the vehicle and its advanced technologies. Each car is equipped with Intertek’s data loggers, which use Wi-Fi to automatically upload the operational data. The fleet operators also collect and record all refueling, maintenance and repair costs in order to track the real world performance and the cost of ownership.

This combination of real world and laboratory analysis provides a more comprehensive understanding of what a customer and the industry can expect once they choose one of these alternative energy vehicles.

“There are many different types of alternative energy vehicle technologies available today and the manufacturers are rapidly developing more to meet both the demands of their customers and the demands of ever increasing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations,” said Tim Hubbard, Sr. VP of Intertek’s Transportation Technologies Business Line. “But for the average customer it can be quite confusing to see the benefits and clearly understand how they can fit into their lifestyle. Intertek Phoenix is working with the DoE to help take some of that mystery away by performing these extensive real-world evaluations and then publishing the data for everyone to use and consider.”

Results from Intertek’s testing are compiled and the information is made available to the public and industry on the Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity section of the Idaho National Lab. This can be found online at http://avt.inel.gov.

Intertek Phoenix is constantly updating its fleet of vehicles as new technologies are introduced and as vehicles complete their test cycle. The models currently under evaluation (and their alternative fuel type) include:

2012 Honda Civic GX NGV (Natural Gas)
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (Fully Electric Vehicle (EV))
2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO eAssist (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV))
2013 Chevrolet Volt (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV))
2013 Ford C-Max Energi (PHEV)
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid (HEV)
2013 Ford Focus Electric (EV)
2013 Ford Fusion Energi (PHEV)
2013 Honda Civic Hybrid (HEV)
2013 Nissan Leaf (EV)
2013 Toyota Prius PHEV (PHEV)
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid (HEV)
2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (Diesel)
2014 Honda Accord PHEV (PHEV)
2014 Smart Fortwo ED (EV)

As a company, Intertek supports a number of green technology and sustainable industries with testing including alternative energy vehicles, fuel cells, battery storage, biofuels, photovoltaic solar panels and wind power.

For more information on Intertek’s automotive testing services, call 1-800-WORLDLAB (967-5352) or visit the website at www.Intertek.com/Automotive.

###

Contact:
John Clark
Marketing Manager, Transportation Technologies
(734) 582-2950
john.g.clark@intertek.com

About Intertek

Intertek is the leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value to customers’ products, processes and assets. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in a global marketplace. Intertek helps its customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.

Acknowledgment: "This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Award Number(s) DE-EE0005501."

Disclaimer: "This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof."