FEV, the global service provider of vehicle and powertrain development for hardware and software, has upgraded its state-of-the-art Vehicle Development Center (VDC) in Auburn Hills with a solar loading system.

This upgrade provides FEV an expanded offering of unique and comprehensive capabilities to support the development and certification of light-duty and medium-duty vehicles for customers worldwide.

The new system simulates natural sunlight in a precisely controlled laboratory setting. This capability is critical for evaluating the impact of vehicle air-conditioning systems on full-electric range for hybrid and electric vehicles, and also plays an important role in evaluating emissions for vehicles with an internal combustion engine.

With the upgraded infrastructure, FEV now has the ability to perform important regulatory tests, including testing under U.S. regulations 40 CFR Part 1066. The added capabilities further entail the regulatory SC03 test cycle, which is part of the full five-cycle chassis dynamometer certification process for all light-duty and medium-duty vehicles, including EPA range certification for electric vehicles. Additionally, this upgrade now allows FEV to cover the full range from frigid arctic testing conditions to the sunny desert – all in a highly controlled setting in southeast Michigan.

The VDC, opened in 2019, provides full vehicle testing capabilities on a state-of-the-art 4WD chassis dynamometer. This includes FWD, RWD, and AWD capabilities paired with the ability to test in -20°C through 40deg C, sized for vehicles of up to 11,000 pounds. This enables FEV to perform all global test cycles required by the respective regulatory agencies.

“We established the Vehicle Development Center to provide our customers with unique services, including climatic capabilities paired with full emissions measurement and EPA 40 CFR Part 1066 for chassis dyno emissions certification,” said Patrick Hupperich, president and CEO of FEV North America. “Just as the vehicle industry continues to evolve, so do our capabilities. This solar simulation system is one example, and now we are proud to offer our customers a complete range of development and testing capabilities for battery electric vehicles, as well as hybrid and conventional vehicles.”