Comparative Study of Fuel and Greenhouse Gas Consumption of a Hybrid Vehicle Compared to Spark Ignition Vehicles

This study aims to determine the type of vehicle with the lowest fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by comparing spark ignition commercial vehicles against hybrid vehicles. The data were obtained through the OBD Link MX+ interface under traffic conditions in the Metropolitan District of Quito to determine the consumption and emissions delivered by each studied vehicle. Measurements were made while driving on two high-traffic routes during peak hours, with a duration of 2 to 3 h of stalling, and the engine fuel consumption parameters of each vehicle were obtained using 85 octane gasoline. Five measurements were generated per route and for each vehicle tested to reduce uncertainty and strengthen the prediction model with a factor of less than 10%. Statistical analysis was implemented to obtain a numerical model that allowed to analyse the estimate of the variation in fuel economy in each vehicle. The numerical model compared the values of fuel consumption measured with those calculated on all the routes with the highest traffic, finally indicating which vehicle with the smallest cylinder capacity is optimal, with an average consumption of 14 km/l on each route compared to a hybrid vehicle with an average consumption of 8.5 km/l per route, for better fuel performance within the Metropolitan District of Quito, in heavy traffic conditions. This study conducts a comparison of the consumption between a hybrid vehicle and spark ignition vehicles through the real driving cycle on routes considered to be of greater influx, to determine which vehicle has lower consumption and, therefore, greater energy efficiency in Quito City.