How Do Hybrid Electric Vehicle Drivers Acquire Ecodriving Strategy Knowledge?

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have the potential to accomplish high energy efficiency (i.e., low fuel consumption) given that drivers apply effective ecodriving control strategies (i.e., ecodriving behavior). However, HEVs have a relatively complex powertrain and therefore require a considerable knowledge acquisition process to enable optimal ecodriving behavior. The objective of the present research was to examine the acquisition of ecodriving strategy knowledge in HEV drivers who are successful in achieving a relatively high energy efficiency. To this end, we recruited 39 HEV drivers with above-average fuel efficiencies and collected interview data on the ecodriving strategy acquisition process. Drivers reported the acquisition of different types of knowledge as important for ecodriving, namely specific strategy knowledge and general technical system knowledge. They acquired this knowledge both with system-interaction (e.g., actively testing specific strategies, continuous monitoring of energy consumption) and without system-interaction (e.g., internet forums, consulting experts). This learning process took drivers on average 6.4 months or 10062 km. The results show the high diversity of the means that HEV drivers use to develop their ecodriving knowledge and the considerable time it takes HEV drivers to develop their ecodriving strategies.

[1]  Michael Sivak,et al.  Eco-driving: Strategic, tactical, and operational decisions of the driver that influence vehicle fuel economy , 2012 .

[2]  Yvonne Barnard,et al.  How I reduce fuel consumption: An experimental study on mental models of eco-driving , 2015 .

[3]  Thomas Franke,et al.  The Role of Interaction Patterns with Hybrid Electric Vehicle Eco-Features for Drivers’ Eco-Driving Performance , 2017, Hum. Factors.

[4]  Andrew Thatcher,et al.  Green ergonomics: definition and scope , 2013, Ergonomics.

[5]  J. Barkenbus.  Eco-driving: An overlooked climate change initiative , 2010 .

[6]  Natasha Merat,et al.  Interface design considerations for an in-vehicle eco-driving assistance system , 2015 .

[7]  Thomas H. Bradley,et al.  Review of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicle market modeling Studies , 2013 .

[8]  Neville A. Stanton,et al.  A decision ladder analysis of eco-driving: the first step towards fuel-efficient driving behaviour , 2015, Ergonomics.

[9]  Wen-Tai Lai.  The effects of eco-driving motivation, knowledge and reward intervention on fuel efficiency , 2015 .

[10]  H. Matthews,et al.  Future CO2 Emissions and Climate Change from Existing Energy Infrastructure , 2010, Science.

[11]  Margaret A Hanson,et al.  Green ergonomics: challenges and opportunities , 2013, Ergonomics.

[12]  Thomas Franke,et al.  Eco-Driving Strategies in Battery Electric Vehicle Use - How Do Drivers Adapt Over Time? , 2015 .

[13]  Neville A. Stanton,et al.  What Drives Ecodriving? Hybrid Electric Vehicle Drivers’ Goals and Motivations to Perform Energy Efficient Driving Behaviors , 2017 .

[14]  Patricia Delhomme,et al.  The influence of multiple goals on driving behavior: the case of safety, time saving, and fuel saving. , 2011, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[15]  Maximilian Schwalm,et al.  Methods of evaluating electric vehicles from a user's perspective - The MINI E field trial in Berlin , 2011 .

[16]  Thomas Franke,et al.  The Timeframe of Adaptation to Electric Vehicle Range , 2013, HCI.

[17]  V. Braun,et al.  Using thematic analysis in psychology , 2006 .

[18]  Neville A Stanton,et al.  Ecodriving in hybrid electric vehicles--Exploring challenges for user-energy interaction. , 2016, Applied ergonomics.

[19]  A. Hamish Jamson,et al.  Drivers’ ability to learn eco-driving skills; effects on fuel efficient and safe driving behaviour , 2015 .

[20]  Otmar Bitsche,et al.  Systems for hybrid cars , 2004 .

[21]  Kenneth S Kurani,et al.  Drivers discuss ecodriving feedback: Goal setting, framing, and anchoring motivate new behaviors , 2013 .

[22]  Neville A. Stanton,et al.  Getting drivers to do the right thing: a review of the potential for safely reducing energy consumption through design , 2014 .

[23]  Rich C. McIlroy,et al.  What do people know about eco-driving? , 2017, Ergonomics.

[24]  Masafumi Miyatake,et al.  Theoretical study on Eco-Driving Technique for an Electric Vehicle with Dynamic Programming , 2010, 2010 International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems.

[25]  Ray Fuller,et al.  Motivational Determinants of Control in the Driving Task , 2007 .

[26]  Ray Fuller.  Chapter 2 – Driver Control Theory: From Task Difficulty Homeostasis to Risk Allostasis , 2011 .

[27]  Heikki Summala,et al.  Towards Understanding Motivational and Emotional Factors in Driver Behaviour: Comfort Through Satisficing , 2007 .

[28]  Maja Fischer,et al.  Psychological predictors of eco-driving: a longitudinal study , 2015 .

[29]  Neville A Stanton,et al.  Safe driving in a green world: a review of driver performance benchmarks and technologies to support 'smart' driving. , 2011, Applied ergonomics.