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Performance and Emissions of Vehicles and Internal Combustion Engines

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B3: Carbon Emission and Utilization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 April 2026 | Viewed by 866

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Automotive Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: fuel pretreatment systems; modern diesel engines; environment pollution; emission of toxic substances; power supply for engines; engine injection systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Automotive Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: combustion engines; combustion process; fuel injection systems; engines emission; fuel; biofuel; fuel pretreatment systems; hybrid vehicles; environment pollution

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Guest Editor
Department of Sustainable Transport and Powertrains, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka Str. 36, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
Interests: tribology; sustainability; economic aspects; environmental, safety and social issues in the construction and operation of road transport vehicles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research on the performance and emissions of vehicles and internal combustion engines should focus on key aspects related to engine efficiency and environmental impact.

In terms of performance, it is crucial to analyze parameters such as power output, torque, thermal efficiency, and fuel consumption. The influence of various factors, including fuel type, intake and exhaust systems, operating temperature, and advanced combustion strategies, should be evaluated. Comparative studies of different technologies, such as direct fuel injection, turbocharging, and hybridization, are essential for optimizing engine performance.

Another critical aspect is emissions. Research should analyze CO₂ emissions, nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HCs), and carbon monoxide (CO). The impact of different fuels—gasoline, diesel, LPG, CNG, hydrogen, and biofuels—on emission levels must be investigated. Given increasingly stringent environmental regulations, studies should assess the effectiveness of emission reduction systems, including exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), particulate filters (DPF, GPF), three-way catalytic converters (TWCs), and selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

To enhance both performance and emission control, it is necessary to study advanced powertrain technologies such as modern fuel injection systems (common rail, gasoline direct injection - GDI), combustion strategies (HCCI, PCCI), turbocharging, and hybrid powertrains (mild-hybrid, full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid). Studies should take into consideration their real-world impact on fuel economy and emission reduction under various driving conditions.

From a methodological perspective, both experimental and computational approaches are essential. Laboratory tests on engine and chassis dynamometers allow for a precise evaluation of performance and emissions under controlled conditions, while real-world driving tests (WLTP, RDE) assess the behavior of powertrains in practical applications. Computational simulations, such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and thermodynamic modeling, are increasingly used to optimize combustion and emission processes.

Finally, research should consider the impact of regulatory frameworks on engine technology development. Stricter emission standards, such as EURO 6 and EPA Tier 3, drive the development of innovative solutions. Additionally, future studies should examine the role of internal combustion engines in the context of increasing vehicle electrification and the economic feasibility of alternative fuels, such as synthetic e-fuels.

In conclusion, research on vehicle and engine performance and emissions should encompass the analysis of efficiency-improving technologies and emission reduction strategies. A comprehensive approach combining experimental testing, computational modeling, and regulatory considerations is crucial for advancing sustainable internal combustion engine technologies.

Prof. Dr. Karol F. Abramek
Dr. Tomasz Osipowicz
Prof. Dr. Paweł Droździel
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • engine performance
  • fuel consumption
  • exhaust emissions
  • combustion efficiency
  • alternative fuels
  • emission control technologies
  • vehicle testing
  • regulatory standards

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 1438 KB  
Article
Deterioration of Exhaust Emissions in Ageing Gasoline Vehicles Assessed by RDE Testing
by Jacek Pielecha and Piotr Pryciński
Energies 2025, 18(21), 5822; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215822 (registering DOI) - 4 Nov 2025
Abstract
The paper assesses the change in air pollutant emissions from a petrol passenger vehicle with changing mileage. The search for solutions enabling the assessment of the change in air pollutant emissions, considering the phenomenon of vehicle ageing, justifies the need to verify the [...] Read more.
The paper assesses the change in air pollutant emissions from a petrol passenger vehicle with changing mileage. The search for solutions enabling the assessment of the change in air pollutant emissions, considering the phenomenon of vehicle ageing, justifies the need to verify the actual air pollutant emissions from used vehicles. The fleet of vehicles used in Poland has an operational age exceeding 12 years, and the number of vehicles imported from Western Europe each year reaches almost 1 million. The research method used in the paper included conducting road tests, known as real driving emissions (RDE) tests of air pollutant emissions for a single vehicle, at different times and with various mileages. The petrol vehicle was operated by one driver whose driving style and routes were comparable and constant throughout the year. The RDE results were compared with data specifying the vehicle’s operating age and mileage to verify the research hypothesis, assuming increased emissions with increasing vehicle mileage. The emissions of basic air pollutants were determined as part of the research conducted using specialist equipment. The research results were obtained for one vehicle, and the experiment was carried out over several years. The results show differences in the emissions of selected chemical compounds depending on the petrol vehicle’s mileage and operating age while ensuring comparable driving technique and operation of one vehicle over a longer time period of 8 years. The vehicle’s age and mileage influence air pollutant emissions. The obtained results show a change in the emission of selected chemical compounds depending on the mileage, thereby confirming the validity of the adopted hypothesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance and Emissions of Vehicles and Internal Combustion Engines)
22 pages, 3030 KB  
Article
Energy and Environmental Impacts of Replacing Gasoline with LPG Under Real Driving Conditions
by Edward Kozłowski, Alfredas Rimkus, Magdalena Zimakowska-Laskowska, Jonas Matijošius, Piotr Wiśniowski, Mateusz Traczyński, Piotr Laskowski and Radovan Madlenak
Energies 2025, 18(20), 5522; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18205522 - 20 Oct 2025
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Abstract
This study investigates the energy and environmental implications of replacing E10 gasoline with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in a Euro 4 passenger car under real-world urban driving conditions. A comparative methodology robust to operating-state distribution was applied, combining portable exhaust gas analysis with [...] Read more.
This study investigates the energy and environmental implications of replacing E10 gasoline with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in a Euro 4 passenger car under real-world urban driving conditions. A comparative methodology robust to operating-state distribution was applied, combining portable exhaust gas analysis with on-board diagnostic data to calculate energy-specific emissions per crankshaft revolution and to reconstruct emission surfaces in the load–RPM domain using bilinear interpolation. The study revealed that LPG reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 8.35%, demonstrating a clear climate and energy benefit due to its lower carbon intensity. In comparison, carbon monoxide (+9.5%) and hydrocarbons (+8.3%) increased under low-load and idle conditions. Nitrogen oxides showed only minor differences between the fuels (+1.3%). LPG exhibited a more stable CO2 emission profile, reflecting improved combustion efficiency from an energy perspective, although its performance in terms of incomplete combustion products requires further optimisation. The methodology highlights how linking energy efficiency with pollutant formation provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating alternative fuels in Real Driving Emissions (RDE) tests. The results confirm LPG’s potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transport systems and identify calibration strategies needed to mitigate trade-offs in local pollutant emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance and Emissions of Vehicles and Internal Combustion Engines)
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Review

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32 pages, 2529 KB  
Review
An Overview of Development and Challenges in the Use of Hydrogen as a Fuel for a Dual-Fuel Diesel Engine
by Arkadiusz Jamrozik
Energies 2025, 18(21), 5793; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215793 - 3 Nov 2025
Abstract
The gradual exhaustion of fossil fuel reserves, along with the adverse effects of their consumption on global climate, drives the need for research into alternative energy sources that can meet the growing demand in a sustainable and eco-friendly way. Among these, hydrogen stands [...] Read more.
The gradual exhaustion of fossil fuel reserves, along with the adverse effects of their consumption on global climate, drives the need for research into alternative energy sources that can meet the growing demand in a sustainable and eco-friendly way. Among these, hydrogen stands out as one of the most promising options for the automotive sector, being the cleanest available fuel and capable of being produced from renewable resources. This paper reviews the existing literature on compression ignition engines operating in a dual-fuel configuration, where diesel serves as the ignition source and hydrogen is used to enhance the combustion process. The reviewed studies focus on engine systems with hydrogen injection into the intake manifold. The investigations analyzed the influence of hydrogen energy fraction on combustion characteristics, engine performance, combustion stability, and exhaust emissions in diesel/hydrogen dual-fuel engines operating under full or near-full-load conditions. The paper identifies the main challenges hindering the widespread and commercial application of hydrogen in diesel/hydrogen dual-fuel engines and discusses potential methods to overcome the existing barriers in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance and Emissions of Vehicles and Internal Combustion Engines)
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