Fuel Used for Vehicle Air Conditioning: A State-by-State Thermal Comfort-Based Approach

Abstract

How much fuel does vehicle air conditioning actually use? This study attempts to answer that question to determine the national and state-by-state fuel use impact seen by using air conditioning in light duty gasoline vehicles. The study used data from US cities, representative of averages over the past 30 years, 1X-see Definitions, the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, a 3X Hybrid, and a Fuel Cell Hybrid) with a varying auxiliary load. For a conventional 1X vehicle, using the AC increases fuel consumption by 35% (or drops fuel economy by 26%). For the Honda Insight, using the AC increases fuel consumption 46%. For a 3X Hybrid, using the AC increases fuel consumption 128%. 10% Rolling Acc. Engine Aero. Driveline Brak ng 21.3 city, 39 highway: 26.7 mpgge 11 city, 6 highway: 8.8 l 100km Energy Usage for Composite FTP & H ghway addit ona accessory With AC Figure 1: Percent Vehicle Energy Uses/Losses in a Conventional 27-mpg (8.7-l/100km) Vehicle resulted in a state-by-state estimate of fuel used for air 100 conditioning in vehicles. The study showed that the US uses 7.1 billion gallons (27 billion liters) of gasoline every year for air conditioning vehicles, equivalent to 6% of domestic petroleum consumption, or 10% of US imported crude oil.

Unidade De Ar Condicionado Projetada Para Veículos Automotores Equipados Com Solução Start-Stop:manutenção Da Percepção De Conforto Do Usuário Aliado À Racionalização Do Consumo De Combustível

“…Vale lembrar mais uma vez, o trabalho de JOHNSON [5] que atribui ao acionamento do sistema de ar condicionado, para a frota dos Estados Unidos um consumo anual da ordem de 27 bilhões de litros de gasolina e que uma redução da ordem de 50% é possível tendo em vistas os resultados apresentados.…”

Achieving a better energy-efficient automotive air-conditioning system: a review of potential technologies and strategies for vapor compression refrigeration cycle

“…The actual use of the A/C system varies considerably depending on factors such as climate, time of day, season, vehicle type, vehicle color, outdoor/indoor parking, clothing of occupants, activity levels of occupants, length of trip, vehicle speed, and personal preference ; thus, the usage is expected to be higher than reported in hot and humid countries. Johnson (2002) showed that A/C vehicles in the USA use 27 billion liters of gasoline annually, which is equivalent to 6 % of the domestic petroleum consumption or 10 % of imported crude oil. Alahmer et al (2012) stated that the A/C system accounts for 30 % of mile-per-gallon expenditure.…”

Gray-box model for energy-efficient selection of set point hysteresis in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration controllers

“…AC can reduce the fuel economy of mid-size vehicles by more than 20% and it can also increase vehicle NOx and CO emissions by approximately 80% and 70%, respectively [6]. Around 7 billion gallons of fuel are consumed annually by the AC systems of light-duty vehicles in the United States [7]. Hence, reduction of fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions are two crucial goals for the auto industry that can be achieved by more efficient designs of mobile AC systems.…”