FEV, a global provider of vehicle and powertrain development services, has upgraded its Vehicle Development Center (VDC) in Auburn Hills with a solar loading system. This upgrade expands FEV’s capabilities to support the development and certification of light- and medium-duty vehicles.

The new solar loading system simulates natural sunlight in a controlled laboratory setting, allowing OEMs to evaluate the impact of vehicle AC systems on EV range.

FEV now has the ability to perform regulatory tests, including testing under US regulations 40 CFR Part 1066. The added capabilities also include 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 EVs. This upgrade now allows FEV to cover the full range from frigid arctic testing conditions to the sunny desert.

The VDC, opened in 2019, provides full vehicle testing capabilities on a 4WD chassis dynamometer. This includes FWD, RWD and AWD capabilities paired with the ability to test in -20° C through 40° 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 CEO Patrick Hupperich.

Source: FEV