Evaluation of a multipurpose hybrid vehicle concept

The HOST project developed concept and prototype for an innovative low polluting modular transport mean suitable for the urban transport of people and goods. Main HOST commercial innovation is to use one vehicle for four different transport service in the 24 hours thus lowering the extra-cost of having a low polluting vehicle. HOST has been dimensioned to supply four different urban transport services: Nocturne collective taxi, daytime car sharing, daytime freight collection and distribution and nocturne garbage collection. The user acceptance, energy and environmental and financial evaluation are reported in this paper. The user acceptance evaluation showed that HOST characteristics (transshipment capabilities, enhanced maneuverability and environmental concern) are interesting, but issues as the technological complexity and lack of infrastructures have to be resolved. The powertrain, a hybrid series, has considerably lower emissions levels than conventional vehicles while consumption is comparable for all the services but car-sharing in which HOST consumes more due to its higher weight. The financial evaluation shows that at the moment, to build the HOST powertrain, about 165 000 € are needed and a complete vehicle with also the cabin could cost about 290 000 €. To be financially competitive, the global cost of HOST should be between 220 000 and 230 000 €; 60 000€ less than the cost of the prototype.