Ohio State University and Vanner will begin developing market-viable commercial electric vehicles, thanks to state approval for the first $500,000 of a $3 million Ohio Third Frontier grant.


The university's Center for Automotive Research will collaborate with Vanner, American Electric Power, STMicroelectronics, and Fil-Mor Express, using the center's testing facilities to research, develop and demonstrate new hybrid electric vehicle technologies for buses and trucks.

"We will be able to measure everything onboard a hybrid vehicle, including fuel and energy efficiency," said Giorgio Rizzoni, professor of mechanical engineering and director of CAR. "One particular goal of our research is to move auxiliary power systems in working trucks and buses off the diesel engine and onto rechargeable electric. These systems run air conditioning or external hydraulic parts and using them often results in long-term idling of the engine, which wastes fuel and pollutes the environment."

Vanner has worked on technology that allows a high-voltage battery to power electrical accessories, eliminating the use of the alternator. The new research will focus on developing a modular DC-to-AC power converter, decoupling the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, fans and water pump from the engine.

"These converters alone could reduce fuel consumption by as much as a 40 percent," said Rizzoni. "A typical hybrid bus, for example, only provides a 15 percent fuel economy improvement."

"Ohio is emerging as a major force in innovation in the hybrid electric niche," said Steve Funk, president of Vanner. "We expect to work closely with suppliers and innovators across the state to further green-car technology and reinforce our state's reputation as the up-and-coming Silicon Valley of vehicle electrification."