AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- FEV, Inc. (FEV) today announced that it has commissioned eight full hybrid powertrain development test sites. The test cells are believed to be the only non-OEM full hybrid powertrain test cells in the United States. The addition expands FEV's technical capability to accommodate the sharp increase in hybrid powertrain development by its customers. All of the hybrid powertrain test sites are fully transient capable and differ from conventional powertrain test cells primarily in terms of dynamometer capability and battery emulation/simulation.
Each of the new hybrid cells are utilized for powertrain and controller development, calibration, benchmarking, validation and durability testing. These cells, combined with FEV's experienced hybrid staff, provide its customers with the flexibility and technology to develop a wide range of current and future hybrid systems.
"The need for full development testing capabilities is becoming critical as hybrid powertrains are increasingly in demand by consumers," said Robert J. Last, vice president of operations and communications for FEV, Inc. "The future of powertrain development is no longer restricted to traditional gasoline engines, and with the commissioning of these test cells, FEV can offer the flexibility and technology to accommodate future technologies."
The test cells feature full powertrain and driveline testing capabilities allowing for full system development, including strategy and algorithm development; component, system and vehicle calibration; performance and durability testing; development of software and diagnostic functions; remote hybrid battery emulation; battery network management testing; and vehicle and powertrain benchmarking.
Last also said that "these facilities are fully utilized at the moment and demand is still increasing. In response to this demand, FEV, Inc. is planning a facility expansion that will add two to four additional hybrid test sites in 2008." Further details on the planned facility expansion will be forthcoming during the second quarter of 2008.
About FEV
FEV is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportation industry. FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards. The FEV's Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment. The FEV Group employs a staff of over 1,500 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents. FEV, Inc. employs approximately 300 personnel at FEV's North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.