Introduction

Abstract

For more than a century, our society has been dependent upon oil. Today, worldwide industry and government are forced to consider alternative and sustainable solutions for transportation. Vehicles, driven by alternative drivetrain offer an unique advantage concerning energy efficiency, emissions reduction and reduced petroleum use. Thus, they have become a research focus around the world. Electric driven vehicles are seen as one way of reducing oil use and GHG emissions but the challenges for their market introduction often focus on the performance and cost of batteries as well as the corresponding charging infrastructure. Other essential aspects are often not taken into account. Therefore, a special Task of the Implementing Agreement Hybrid and Electric Vehicles under the umbrella of the International Energy Agency (IEA)—Task 17—analyzed technology options for the optimization of electric and hybrid vehicle components and drivetrain configurations that will enhance vehicle energy efficiency performance. This chapter highlights the milestones in history of electrified vehicles and explains the objectives, as well as working methods of Task 17—“System Optimization and Vehicle Integration for Enhanced Overall Vehicle Performance”.