Maximizing Thermal Management Technology Value

Advances for Energy Efficiency & Passenger Comfort

For vehicles, thermal management developments are a key technique for reducing CO2 emissions and improving passenger comfort. ITB assists in the decision making process by assessing high value advancements for conventional and electrified powertrains.

As regulations continue to tighten globally, thermal management systems continue to be critical for conventional and electrified vehicle performance. U.S. regulations are uncertain and when they are finalized, as soon as 2019, may have a great effect on technology commercialization. Although more stable, regulations in Europe and China are continuing to evolve to incentivize electrified vehicles and possibly include technology credits for passenger thermal comfort technologies. Improvements in thermal systems offer a high value pathway for meeting regulatory drive cycle emissions, as well as off-cycle in the real world. Furthermore, the effects of improved thermal management technology may have director customer benefits.

Companies are making great strides in electrified vehicle system value. Achieving significantly longer vehicle range and improving battery life while keeping mass and cost control. With great improvements in fuel consumption and important thermal system improvements, conventional powertrain vehicles are not standing still. Meanwhile, mild and strong hybrid vehicles continue to evolve, particularly to reduce cost. In order to contain costs, thermal component and system integration innovation innovations are necessary. Thermal management advancements may involve hardware and increasingly software revisions to improve systems start-up, reduce thermal losses or recapture waste thermal energy.

ITB’s 2019 report, “Maximizing Thermal Management Technology Value” examines the on- and off-cycle value of 80 thermal technologies and 280 component and system suppliers. The analysis considers how benefits and costs affect technology value propositions and commercialization priorities. Furthermore, the analysis explores how to unlock potential credit value. The ITB Group’s research incorporates feedback from global OEMs and suppliers. This includes market and technology value analyses to identify key thermal opportunities and priorities. Thermal technology analyses cover conventional and electrified powertrains as well as passenger comfort systems and their interdependencies.

Key points in the research include:

• Technology value prioritization (on-/off-cycle benefits and range extension)
• Volumes of selected technologies over time, including OEM differences
• Regulations and their effects on technology commercialization
• Assessment of supplier market positioning
• Selected technology roadmaps for OEMs/suppliers
  • Conventional vehicle thermal management priorities
  • Reducing cost for mild hybrid systems
  • Technology alternatives and priorities for plug-in vehicle range extension
  • BEV system integration, including battery pack construction and rapid charge support
  • Autonomous and connected vehicle thermal implications and challenges

The ITB Group offers a dynamic two-pronged approach for highlighting thermal management developments and analyses. Key elements of ITB’s approach include:

• Web-Based Portal – Provides two years of on-going updates concerning developments in vehicles, technologies, markets, regulations, and the supply base, related to thermal management
• Industry-Funded Report – This eighth thermal management report by The ITB Group builds upon benchmarks, value metrics and hurdle rates used to compare technologies from prior research. This thermal management systems report will continue on a two-year cycle, with deep dives into powertrain fluid control during interim years.