Abstract:          Ultimately stringent emission regulations will be imposed on gasoline and diesel vehicles between 2010 and 2016 in Japan, the USA and the EU. To comply with these regulations, automakers are being forced to develop ultra low-emission engine systems by optimizing combinations of technologies related to combustion, aftertreatment and fuel. These vehicles are expected to retain their positions as state of the art technologies for two decades to come. Toward 2020 and beyond, more emphasis will be placed on improvements in fuel economy and the use of renewable energy and fuels such as electricity and biofuels to reduce oil dependence in the transportation sector, thereby mitigating global warming. The hybrid vehicle is a very promising alternative option for significantly improving fuel efficiency, followed by the electric vehicle. Cost-effective permanent magnetic motors, lithium-ion batteries and electric and electronic devices are essential for these vehicles. The use of advanced lightweight materials will also be more important to enhance energy efficiency for all vehicle categories. The materials include high-tensile steel, plastics and light metals. Fuel cell vehicle technologies, however, must overcome many difficult and uncertain issues before practical use is possible, although these vehicles possess favorable features and deserve fundamental research. These advanced environmentally friendly motor vehicle technologies should properly be shared among motored and motorizing countries from the viewpoint of global environment.

Key words: ultra low-emission engine, hybrid vehicle, fuel-efficient, lightweight materials, fuel cell vehicle