System-based product design and system structure changeover under integrated optimality: a case study on leading design of vehicles

The paper discusses the role of system-based optimal design under integrated optimality for environmentally-conscious products, which aim to reduce energy consumption, carbon dioxide gas release, etc., with a case study of leading design of vehicles. After providing a general conception, the system structures of vehicles are compared among gasoline internal combustion engine vehicle, THS-type hybrid electric vehicle and genuine electric vehicle, by fuel economy, total cost and life-cycle-based environmental impact. The influence of battery performance progress and the external changes such as environment taxation on system structure changeover is outlined. These reveal the importance of a system-based optimal design approach.