In response to regulations on the automobile industry being tightened around the world as a measure against global warming, a shift to new energy vehicles (electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, range-extender electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles) has been accelerating. This report describes our efforts to develop a turbocharger suitable for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The improvement in the fuel efficiency of the engine for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is an important issue and the turbocharger is therefore required to be highly efficient at the optimum fuel efficiency point. As such, we worked on improving the elements that contribute to performance (matching, aerodynamic performance, and bearing mechanical loss) and now have the prospect of improving the overall efficiency of the turbocharger and the fuel efficiency of the engine.
