The impact of hybrid/electric vehicles on urban air pollution now and in the future - quantifying non-exhaust emissions using combined measurement and modelling approaches

CASE research partnership: King’s College London and Robert BOSCH LTD.
Principal supervisor: Dr Sean Beevers (KCL),
Other supervisors: Dr David Green (KCL), Prof Nick Reed (BOSCH)

Applications invited immediately for a September 2018 start

Non-exhaust emissions of (brake wear, tyre wear and resuspension/surface wear) particles are growing in importance; due to the adoption of Diesel exhaust Particulate Filters (DPFs) and increased non-exhaust emissions. A shift to hybrid and electric vehicles, with regenerative braking, could significantly reduce non-exhaust emissions, and so an improved quantification of these sources is a priority to inform current and future air quality and climate policy.

This PhD will create an improved non-exhaust vehicle emission inventory using King’s highly time resolved aerosol composition measurements in London. Through BOSCH, the CASE partner, the PhD will have access to industry leading brake technology to assess the impact of regenerative braking on UK emissions between now and 2050.

The project will be lead by two experienced supervisors at King’s College London (KCL) (Dr. Sean Beevers and Dr. David Green) who will provide the relevant guidance for advanced emissions inventory development and atmospheric aerosol measurements. The industry CASE partner, Robert Bosch Ltd, led by Prof Nick Reed (Head of Mobility R&D), is a world leader in mobility and braking technologies and will host the student in their London offices for up to 9 months.

During that time the student will have access to detailed brake testing information including the impacts of braking under different driving conditions, energy recovery from the regenerative braking systems and particle emission estimates. Adam Moody (Principal Analyst, Environment), Transport for London, (TfL) will be an external expert in the PhD supervision team, supporting the student with access to the London atmospheric emissions inventory and London transport and environment strategy vehicle fleet data.

Funding Notes
Student stipend of £18,777 (including London allowance and CASE partner contribution)
Additional CASE partner project funding of £37,000 in total.
Plus, NERC’s Research Training Support Grant of £11,000.

Applications are invited for four years and covering Home/EU tuition fees and a stipend. Candidates from the EU should be aware that there are some eligibility restrictions, relating to being resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the beginning of the studentship.

Please check the sponsor’s eligibility requirements before applying on https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Fees-and-Money/England-fee-status#layer-6082