Future Policy and Technological Advancement Recommendations for Enhanced Adoption of Electric Vehicles in South Africa: A Survey and Review

There are major concerns globally on the increasing population of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and their environmental impact. The initiatives for the advancement of alternative propulsion systems, such as electric motors, have great opportunities, but are marked by a number of challenges that require major changes in policies and serious investment on the technologies in order to make them viable alternative mobility sources around the world. South Africa has struggled a lot in adopting electric vehicles among all the emerging countries. This is mostly attributed to a non-conducive environment for electric vehicle adoption. This study administered a survey consisting of Likert-scale questions in the Gauteng Province to gather information on people’s views on some of the major concerns around electric vehicle technology. The survey results demonstrated that Gauteng residents perceive electric vehicle price as the main constraint towards adoption of the technology and introduction of government policy towards addressing this challenge would be helpful. Some of the suggested interventions, such as the rollout of purchasing subsidies and tax rebates, received a high level of satisfaction among the respondents. Future initiatives that tackle issues of charging infrastructure network also received high satisfaction. Thus, there is a need for all stakeholders in the South African automotive industry to improve the enabling environment for the adoption of electric vehicles.

Analysis of Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Alternative Propulsion Systems for Regional Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit Trains

This paper presents a simulation-based analysis of hybrid and plug-in hybrid propulsion system concepts for diesel-electric multiple unit regional railway vehicles. These alternative concepts primarily aim to remove emissions in terminal stops with longer stabling periods, with additional benefits reflected in the reduction of overall fuel consumption, produced emissions, and monetary costs. The alternative systems behavior is modeled using a backward-looking quasi-static simulation approach, with the implemented energy management strategy based on a finite state machine control. A comparative assessment of alternative propulsion systems is carried out in a case study of a selected regional railway line operated by Arriva, the largest regional railway undertaking in the Netherlands. The conversion of a standard diesel-electric multiple unit vehicle, currently operating on the network, demonstrated a potential GHG reduction of 9.43–56.92% and an energy cost reduction of 9.69–55.46%, depending on the type of service (express or stopping), energy storage technology selection (lithium-ion battery or double-layer capacitor), electricity production (green or grey electricity), and charging facilities configuration (charging in terminal stations with or without additional charging possibility during short intermediate stops) used. As part of a bigger project aiming to identify optimal transitional solutions towards emissions-free trains, the outcomes of this study will help in the future fleet planning.

The role and importance of e-bikes in CITY logistics, with special emphasis on sustainable transport

Urban environments depend on the efficiency of logistics activities, which due to several negative impacts are not desirable in cities. Researchers are paying increasing attention to the development of environmentally friendly logistics systems, by applying electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, cargo trams, and other vehicles to alternative propulsion systems. To achieve environmentally-friendly logistics systems, researchers have defined several "scenarios", to achieve sustainable transport, with the solutions presented in this paper. Also, the paper analyzes the role and importance of the use of e-bikes in CITY logistics, regarding sustainable transport.

Potential of Semi-Closed Cycles for UAV Propulsion

Conventional Brayton cycles have demonstrated to be significantly less efficient than alternative propulsion systems (spark ignition, diesel, fuel cells, etc.) for low power output applications, such as for small size UAVs. The gas turbine performance could be enhanced through the introduction of heat exchangers, with the consequent increase of the overall engine weight. Semi-closed cycles have documented advantages of higher thermal efficiency and degree of compactness than traditional intercooled-recuperated open cycles. This paper discusses advantages and applicability of semi-closed cycles to a small gas turbine, designed for a medium altitude UAV mission. In particular, size and altitude effects have been accounted in the performance evaluation of two different semi-closed cycle arrangements designed for an output shaft power of 100 hp (74.57 kW). Resultant performance has been compared with equivalent simple recuperated and intercooled-recuperated open cycles. Furthermore, a final engine performance comparison has been made with data obtained from a similar analysis performed on a larger engine, with a power output of 300 hp (223.71 kW) and designed for an extremely high altitude UAV application. While promising results have been obtained for the larger case study, where semi-closed cycles have demonstrated superior performance and higher engine compactness than conventional solutions, similar trends have not been displayed for the smaller engines, as consequence of the strong size effects observed in the turbomachinery performance. For the 100 hp engine the semi-closed cycles are slightly outperformed by the open cycle engines.

Existing state and future opportunities to use selected fuels and alternative propulsion systems in Poland

The article presents the state of existing and future forecasts for a vehicle park equipped with fuel cells in the world. Reference has also been made to the current and future situation in the area of hydrogen refueling infrastructure in the world. The situation in the above-mentioned area in Germany is discussed, which is one of the leading countries in the hydrogenization of motor transport. A proposal for the development of hydrogen propulsion technology in Poland has been presented. In a similar scope, reference is made to the issue of electromobility in road transport, both in the world, in the EU, and in Poland.

ALTERNATIVE MOTORS IN AVIATION

The increasing demand for air travel leads to more pollution produced by air transport. At the same time the fuel prices are constantly rising. Therefore, it becomes necessary to find alternative energy sources for aircraft (alternative fuel, motors). In this article alternative propulsion systems (fuel) that can be used in aviation, their advantages and disadvantages are reviewed.