STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF GENERAL VEHICLE POWERTRAIN SPECIFICATIONS ON CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS

Currently, a high percentage of vehicles circulating primarily on the roads of Latin America use internal combustion engines as their source of propulsion, still relying on fossil fuels due to their ease of refueling. Although alternative technologies such as hydrogen and electric propulsion exist, implementing these mechanisms still requires widespread technological deployment, which many countries are still working towards. Additionally, these forms of energy generation have environmental impacts that, when combined with the technological implementation, result in a significant environmental footprint that cannot be ignored. The present study analyzes the effects of specific characteristics of the powertrain, such as engine displacement, number of cylinders, type of transmission, type of fuel, and type of car body, to determine their influence on fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions released into the environment. Moreover, the study identifies variables that could be considered to reduce the impact caused by conventional technologies. It is necessary to reconsider the use of internal combustion engines in light of their ease of refueling and high power-to-weight ratio, as they may not be the best long-term solution. Although electric vehicles have been considered to have zero emissions during their operational phase, thanks in part to larger battery sizes, it is necessary to reevaluate this theory in countries where energy production relies on coal-powered plants, such as hydroelectric plants.