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Drag reduction technology and devices for road vehicles - A comprehensive review
Michael Gerard Connolly1, Alojz Ivankovic1, Malachy J O'Rourke1
1School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University College Dublin, Belflied, Dublin 4, D04 PR94, Ireland.
Heliyon
|July 29, 2024
Summary
Drag reduction technology is crucial for electric vehicles to extend range and cut emissions. This review covers passive and active devices for various vehicles, enhancing efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Automotive Engineering
- Aerodynamics
- Climate Change Mitigation
Background:
- Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.
- The shift to alternatively powered vehicles necessitates innovative solutions for efficiency.
- Drag reduction is key to extending electric vehicle range and lowering energy consumption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review appendable drag reduction technologies for road vehicles.
- To differentiate methods applied to simplified bodies versus authentic vehicle geometries.
- To explore the future of drag reduction in automotive design.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of passive and active drag reduction techniques.
- Analysis of studies on simplified bluff bodies (e.g., Ahmed body) and detailed road vehicles.
- Examination of wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) research.
Main Results:
- Appendable drag reduction devices offer significant potential for light and heavy-duty transport.
- Distinguishing between simplified and authentic geometries is vital for practical application.
- Advancements in computing power and CFD will drive future research.
Conclusions:
- Drag reduction technology is essential for sustainable road transport.
- Future developments will be influenced by consumer demand for configurable vehicles.
- Closer collaboration between device manufacturers and automakers is needed for effective integration.
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