Examination of lightweight hybrid electric vehicles in the long term utilizing system dynamics modeling approach

Abstract

Severe environmental impacts and high carbon dioxide emission are serious issues of the automotive industry around the world. Various green technologies are adopted to improve the vehicle’s performance and to lower environmental impacts. This includes the use of lightweight materials in the hybrid electric vehicle production to reduce the vehicle’s weight, save energy cost, and lower the carbon dioxide emission. This study examines the trend of lightweight hybrid electric vehicle (LHEV) sales in Thailand in the long term, utilizing the system dynamics modeling approach. The developed dynamics model considers production capacity in terms of material availability and budget allocation and demand from green and potential customers. The simulation results show that the LHEV sales in the initial stage were low due to low budget allocation for LHEV production. When more customers are interested in the LHEVs, the sales amount increases and becomes triple in the next 20 years. The results pinpoint that price range of LHEVs must be suitable, compared with its previous models, to attract more customers in the market. The company may also consider promoting the LHEVs through a number of activities and schemes to raise the green image of the company, and attract more customers in the long term.

Keywords

• automotive industry
• carbon dioxide emission
• lightweight hybrid electric vehicle
• potential customers
• system dynamics modeling