VAN BUREN TWP., Mich., May 18, 2009 /PRNewswire/ – Ricardo, Inc., a leading independent provider of technology, product innovation and engineering solutions to the world’s automotive, military, transport and new energy industries, has announced that is has provided technical support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the final 2009 Light Duty vehicle CAFE rulemaking which will come into force for 2011. Ricardo provided its expert advice based on technical analysis of comments received for the Notice on Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), the process through which interested parties may comment on proposed regulations.
Ricardo was contracted as an objective and independent authority in assessing comments provided to the NPRM process on cost and effectiveness of fuel-saving technologies. This role was recognized by NHTSA in the final published version of the 2009 CAFE rule, which states that: “NHTSA chose to contract Ricardo because of its extensive experience and expertise in working with both government and industry on fuel economy-improving technology issues.”
“When viewed collectively with our existing fuel economy and emissions work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Academy of Sciences, and branches of the military, as well as existing customers across the automotive, commercial vehicle and off-highway sectors, this project solidifies Ricardo’s position as a primary fuel economy thought leader in the U.S.,” said Dean Harlow, President of Ricardo, Inc. “We look forward to continuing dialogue with agencies and other stakeholders to assure that the requirements identified within the final government regulation are practical from a manufacturing and technology standpoint.”
NHTSA specifically sought comments on the technology chapter of the NPRM which was based on the estimates which it had developed jointly with the EPA on the availability, applicability, cost and effectiveness for a variety of fuel-saving technologies. Ricardo utilized its unique systems engineering capabilities inherent in its Total Vehicle Fuel Economy (TVFE) toolset to advise NHTSA on revisions to technology assumptions, benefits and costs, availability, phase-in, and differentiation by vehicle class. NHTSA retained responsibility for the final rule, but in developing its final technical analysis relied significantly on the advice provided by Ricardo as a neutral and independent expert.
“This project demonstrates Ricardo’s depth of expertise in systems engineering which enables understanding, integrating and optimizing the complex cost and technical solutions related to CAFE fuel efficiency requirements,” said Sandy Stojkovski, director of the Ricardo Total Vehicle Fuel Economy (TVFE) practice, which applies a systems engineering approach to optimization. “This selection by NHTSA further exemplifies Ricardo’s role as a premier strategic technical advisor.”
Because of Ricardo’s extensive experience and expertise in working with both government and industry on fuel economy-improving technology issues, NHTSA contracted Ricardo to provide technical consulting services in connection with the Technology chapter of the final rule. The NHTSA project drew from Ricardo’s full range of systems-engineering expertise, encompassing gasoline and diesel technology, hybrid propulsion, transmission and driveline systems, controls and electronics, and vehicle engineering.
About Ricardo
Ricardo, the Eco-Innovation Technology Company, is a leading independent provider of technology, product innovation, engineering solutions and strategic consulting to the world’s automotive, military, transport and new energy industries. The company’s skill base represents the state-of-the-art in low emissions and fuel-efficient powertrain technology, and can be best summarized: “Ricardo is Fuel Economy.” Ricardo offers TVFE(TM), its Total Vehicle Fuel Economy engineering service, to transportation manufacturers and related government agencies worldwide to provide objective evaluation of all available technologies to identify the most cost-effective strategies to accomplish fuel economy and CO(2) goals.
With technical centers and offices throughout Europe, the U.S. and Asia, Ricardo provides engineering expertise ranging from vehicle systems integration, controls & electronics, hardware and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell powertrain technologies. Ricardo’s customers include the world’s major automakers and suppliers as well as manufacturers in the military, commercial, off-highway and clean energy sectors. The company also serves in advisory roles to governmental and independent agencies. Ricardo’s U.S. operation, Ricardo, Inc., is headquartered in Van Buren Township, Michigan. Ricardo plc posted sales of $394 million in financial year 2008 and is a constituent of the FTSE TechMark 100 index – a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit http://www.ricardo.com/.
Source: Ricardo, Inc.
CONTACT:
Frank Buscemi of The Quell Group, +1-248-649-8900, fbuscemi@quell.com, for Ricardo, Inc.;
or Anthony Smith, Ricardo Media Office, +44 1273 382710, media@ricardo.com
Web Site: http://www.ricardo.com/
