Aftermarket vehicle hybridization: Potential market penetration and environmental benefits of a hybrid-solar kit

The possibility of upgrading conventional vehicles to hybrid electric vehicles has recently gained considerable interest. Among the diverse options for hybridization, researchers of the Energy and Propulsion Laboratory at the University of Salerno (Italy) have patented a system based on the electrification of the rear wheels in front-wheel-drive vehicles by adopting in-wheel motors and adding a lithium-ion battery, which is rechargeable via plug-in and solar mode. The technology integrates various components, in-vehicle Intelligent Transportation Systems and advanced on-line management algorithms. With respect to the proposed technological context, this paper uses a real case study to investigate the potential market penetration, the achievable environmental benefits and relevant policy issues. To this aim, the paper first analyses the main behavioral determinants that may affect users' perception of this new technology, then specifies and calibrates an installation choice model, and finally develops bottom-up methodology to estimate the environmental benefits to be obtained from different commercialization scenarios. The proposed methodology was applied to the city of Salerno and the achievable benefits were compared to those obtainable through the implementation of traditional transport policies.