BEAUTY · Bio-Ethanol engine for Advanced Urban Transport by Light Commercial Vehicle & Heavy DutY (BEAUTY)

The dedicated internal combustion engines considered in the proposal can be fuelled with pure bioethanol or its blends with hydrocarbon-based fuel; their application is intended for light commercials and heavy duty busses and trucks (e.g.: garbage trucks) on captive fleets, then allowing a much higher amplitude of adaptation of bioethanol blends to the need of the combustion process. Three technology ways will be explored: • for heavy-duty urban vehicles, a spark ignition (Otto cycle) engine designed for heavy-duty application; • for light commercials, a spark ignition (Otto cycle) engine using in some part of engine operations an innovative controlled auto-ignition (CAI) process; • for light commercials, a compression ignition (Diesel cycle) engine using an innovative surface ignition system. Objective of the project is to build, in a crash programme of 2 years, engine solutions based on the three technology ways able to meet ambitious targets in terms of: • future emission limits (Euro 6); • fuel conversion efficiency (at least 10% higher than that of a today SI engine running on equivalent bioethanol blends); • cold startability down to - 15 °C of ambient temperature. Starting from existing powertrains, the engine systems (including after-treatment), components and materials will be adapted and optimised. The most promising route for maximising the benefits in terms of local- and global-emissions will be identified. The three technology ways will be compared in terms of costs and time to market, taking into account the type of fuel that can be used in the captive fleet. Basic innovative elements of each technology way able to fully answer to characteristics of bio-ethanol blends will be shared with the other technology ways in order to integrate, where possible, the given technology ways approach and to design a road map of the technology steps favoring a progressive introduction in the EU of bioethanol