PGW Automotive Glass Improves Fuel Efficiency Up to 6 MPG, Reduces CO2 Emissions for PHEV

NREL testing confirms the fuel economy benefits of Sungate EP(R) automotive glass

DETROIT, June 3 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Pittsburgh Glass Works LLC (PGW) recently concluded testing which shows that Sungate(R) EP automotive glass improves fuel efficiency and cabin comfort in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

Testing was conducted while using the vehicle's air conditioning system. The PHEV was cooler and used less fuel in a test that simulated PGW's Sungate EP glazing in the windshield and rear window location. The test utilized the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), also known as the "city test," as specified by the Environmental Protection Agency for city driving. The comparison was made to standard glass being used in most vehicles.

"Over repeated UDDS cycles, the Sungate EP glazing reduced the air conditioning power and resulted in an increase in fuel economy," said John Rugh, Senior Mechanical Engineer for NREL. "The adjusted, utility factor-weighted fuel economy increased from 36.8 to 42.9 mpg for the Sungate EP thermal load case, while the adjusted, UF-weighted electrical energy consumption was roughly equivalent."

The adjustment and utility factor take into account real world factors such as aggressive driving and miles driven between charging.

Mukesh Rustagi, PGW's Director of Strategic Product Management, stated that the Sungate EP infra-red reflective glazing has been designed to reject almost 97 percent of the sun's infra-red energy.

The lower heat load due to the Sungate EP glazing in the test vehicle resulted in a 15 degree F reduction in cabin air temperature at the end of the heat soak period. After running the vehicle for approximately 1.5 hours, with the air conditioner set on maximum, the cabin air temperature for the Sungate EP case was still 4.5 degrees cooler than base glass.

"The Sungate EP glazing provides fuel savings and a more comfortable cabin for the consumer," said Rustagi.

Rustagi said the market trend toward the use of more hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and PHEVs drove PGW to test the impact of the Sungate EP glazing on fuel efficiency of these high-efficiency vehicles. The testing confirmed the benefits of the Sungate EP glazing heat load reduction technology on these higher efficiency vehicles, where the climate control system has a larger fuel economy impact.

Sungate EP windshield technology will help automakers meet the new proposed California Air Resources Board's Cool Car Standards, Rustagi said.

"Consumers are seeking technologies that improve their experience with their vehicles and help them save money and be environmentally responsible," Rustagi said. "In various market research studies, nearly three-fourths of respondents were interested in having advanced solar-reflective windshields on their next new vehicles, and the Sungate EP glazing from PGW helps automakers fulfill that consumer interest."