Electric Vehicle 2nd Module
Electric Vehicle 2nd Module
Electric Vehicle 2nd Module
Electric vehicles (EVs) use an electric motor for traction, and chemical batteries, fuel cells, ultra
capacitors, and/or flywheels for their corresponding energy sources. The electric vehicle has many
advantages over the conventional internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV), such as an absence of
emissions, high efficiency, independence from petroleum, and quiet and smooth operation.
A modern electric drive train is conceptually illustrated in Figure 4.2.1 The drive train consists of
three major subsystems: electric motor propulsion, energy source, and auxiliary. The electric
propulsion subsystem is comprised of a vehicle controller, power electronic converter, electric
motor, mechanical transmission, and driving wheels.
The energy source subsystem involves the energy source, the energy management unit, and the
energy refueling unit. The auxiliary subsystem consists of the power steering unit, the hotel climate
control unit, and the auxiliary supply unit.
Based on the control inputs from the accelerator and brake pedals, the vehicle controller provides
proper control signals to the electronic power converter, which functions to regulate the power flow
between the electric motor and energy source.
The backward power flow is due to the regenerative braking of the EV and this regenerated energy
can be restored to the energy source, provided the energy source is receptive. Most EV batteries as
well as ultra capacitors and flywheels readily possess the ability to accept regenerated energy. The
energy management unit cooperates with the vehicle controller to control the regenerative braking
and its energy recovery.
Different EV Configurations
There are a variety of possible EV configurations due to the variations in electric propulsion
characteristics and energy sources, as shown in Figure 4.3
(a) Figure 4.3(a) shows the configuration of the first alternative, in which an electric propulsion
replaces the IC engine of a conventional vehicle drive train. It consists of an electric motor, a clutch,
a gearbox, and a differential. The clutch and gearbox may be replaced by automatic transmission.
The clutch is used to connect or disconnect the power of the electric motor from the driven wheels.
The gearbox provides a set of gear ratios to modify the speed-power (torque) profile to match the
load requirement.
The differential is a mechanical device (usually a set of planetary gears), which enables the wheels of
both sides to be driven at different speeds when the vehicle runs along a curved path.
(b) With an electric motor that has constant power in a long speed range a fixed gearing can replace
the multispeed gearbox and reduce the need for a clutch. This configuration not only reduces the
size and weight of the mechanical transmission, but also simplifies the drive train control because
gear shifting is not needed.
(c) Similar to the drive train in (b), the electric motor, the fixed gearing, and the differential can be
further integrated into a single assembly while both axles point at both driving wheels. The whole
drive train is further simplified and compacted.
(d) In Figure 4.3(d), the mechanical differential is replaced by using two traction motors. Each of
them drives one side wheel and operates at a different speed when the vehicle is running along a
curved path.
(e) In order to further simplify the drive train, the traction motor can be placed inside a wheel. This
arrangement is the so-called inwheel drive. A thin planetary gear set may be used to reduce the
motor speed and enhance the motor torque.
The thin planetary gear set offers the advantage of a high-speed reduction ratio as well as an inline
arrangement of the input and output shaft.
(f) By fully abandoning any mechanical gearing between the electric motor and the driving wheel,
the out-rotor of a low-speed electric motor in the in-wheel drive can be directly connected to the
driving wheel.
The speed control of the electric motor is equivalent to the control of the wheel speed and hence
the vehicle speed. However, this arrangement requires the electric motor to have a higher torque to
start and accelerate the vehicle.
A vehicle’s driving performance is usually evaluated by its acceleration time, maximum speed, and
gradeability. In EV drive train design, proper motor power rating and transmission parameters are
the primary considerations to meet the performance specification. The design of all these
parameters depends mostly on the speed–power (torque) characteristics of the traction motor.
In low-speed operations, voltage supply to the motor increases with the increase of the
speed through the electronic converter while the flux is kept constant. At the point of base
speed, the voltage of the motor reaches the source voltage.
After the base speed, the motor voltage is kept constant and the flux is weakened, dropping
hyperbolically with increasing speed. Hence, its torque also drops hyperbolically with
increasing speed.
The use of a multigear or single-gear transmission depends mostly on the motor speed–
torque characteristics. That is, at a given rated motor power, if the motor has a long
constant power region, a single-gear transmission would be sufficient for a high tractive
effort at low speeds. Otherwise, a multigear (more than two gears) transmission has to be
used.
Figure 4.6 shows the tractive effort of an EV, along with the vehicle speed with a traction
motor of x=2 and a three-gear transmission. The first gear covers the speed region of a–b–c,
the second gear covers d–e–f, and the third gear covers g–f–h.
Figure 4.8 shows the tractive effort with a traction motor of x=6 and a single-gear
transmission. These three designs have the same tractive effort vs. vehicle speed profiles.
Therefore, the vehicles will have the same acceleration and gradeability performance.
Vehicle performance,
Basic vehicle performance includes maximum cruising speed, gradeability, and acceleration.
The maximum speed of a vehicle can be easily found by the intersection point of the tractive
effort curve with the resistance curve (rolling resistance plus aerodynamic drag), in the
tractive effort vs. vehicle speed diagram shown in Figures 4.6–4.8.
where Nm max is the allowed maximum rpm of the traction motor and ig min is the minimum
gear ratio of the transmission (highest gear). Gradeability is determined by the net tractive
effort of the vehicle, Ft-net (F t-net-Ft –Fr-Fw), as shown in Figures 4.6–4.8. At mid- and high
speeds, the gradeability is smaller than the gradeability at low speeds
City and highway traffic conditions vary greatly, as do the different missions of the vehicles,
such as a universal passenger car and vehicles with regular operation routes and schedules.
It is difficult to describe the tractive effort and vehicle speed variations in all actual traffic
environments accurately and quantitatively.
However, some representative drive cycles (driving schedules) have been developed to
emulate typical traffic environments. These drive cycles are represented by the vehicle
speeds vs. the operating time while driving on a flat road.
Some typical drive cycles are illustrated in Figure 4.12, which include (a) FTP75 urban cycle,
(b) FTP75 highway cycle, (c) US06 cycle, which is a high-speed and high-acceleration drive
cycle, (d) J227a schedule B, (e) J227a schedule C, and (f) J227a schedule D. The J227a series
is recommended by the Society of Automotive Engineers in the U.S.A.6 and is applied in the
evaluation of EVs and batteries
Energy consumption
In transportation, the unit of energy is usually kilowatt-hour (kWh) rather than joule or
kilojoule (J or kJ). The energy consumption per unit distance in kWh/km is generally used to
evaluate the vehicle energy consumption. However, for ICE vehicles the commonly used unit
is a physical unit of fuel volume per unit distance, such as liters per 100 km (l/100 km). In the
U.S., the distance per unit volume of fuel is usually used; this is expressed as miles per gallon
(mpg).
On the other hand, for battery-powered EVs, the original energy consumption unit in kWh,
measured at the battery terminals, is more suitable. The battery energy capacity is usually
measured in kWh and the driving range per battery charge can be easily calculated. Similar
to ICE vehicles, l/100 km (for liquid fuels) or kg/100 km (for gas fuels, such as hydrogen) or
mpg, or miles per kilogram is a more suitable unit of measurement for vehicles that use
gaseous fuels.
Energy consumption is an integration of the power output at the battery terminals. For
propelling, the battery power output is equal to resistance power and any power losses in
the transmission and the motor drive, including power losses in electronics. The power
losses in transmission and motor drive are represented by their efficiencies ηt and ηm,
respectively.
Basically, any vehicle power train is required to (1) develop sufficient power to meet the demands of
vehicle performance, (2) carry sufficient energy onboard to support vehicle driving in the given
range, (3) demonstrate high efficiency, and (4) emit few environmental pollutants.
Broadly, a vehicle may have more than one energy source and energy converter (power source),
such as a gasoline (or diesel) heat engine system, hydrogen–fuel cell–electric motor system,
chemical battery–electric motor system, etc. A vehicle that has two or more energy sources and
energy converters is called a hybrid vehicle.
A hybrid vehicle with an electrical power train (energy source energy converters) is called an HEV. A
hybrid vehicle drive train usually consists of no more than two power trains. More than two power
train configurations will complicate the system.
Figure 5.1 shows the concept of a hybrid drive train and the possible different power flow routes.
3. Both power train 1 and 2 deliver power to load at the same time
6. Power train 2 obtains power from power train 1 and load at the same time
7. Power train 1 delivers power to load and to power train 2 at the same time
8. Power train 1 delivers power to power train 2, and power train 2 delivers power to load
9. Power train 1 delivers power to load, and load delivers power to power train 2
In the case of hybridization with a liquid fuel-IC engine (power train 1) and a battery-electric
machine (power train 2), pattern (1) is the engine-alone propelling mode. This may be used when
the batteries are almost completely depleted and the engine has no remaining power to charge the
batteries, or when the batteries have been fully charged and the engine is able to supply sufficient
power to meet the power demands of the vehicle.
Pattern (2) is the pure electric propelling mode, in which the engine is shut off. This pattern may be
used in situations where the engine cannot operate effectively, such as very low speed, or in areas
where emissions are strictly prohibited.
Pattern (3) is the hybrid traction mode and may be used when a large amount of power is needed,
such as during sharp acceleration or steep hill climbing.
Pattern (5) is the mode in which the engine charges the batteries while the vehicle is at a standstill,
coasting, or descending a slight grade, in which no power goes into or comes from the load.
Pattern (6) is the mode in which both regenerative braking and the IC engine charge the batteries
simultaneously.
Pattern (7) is the mode in which the engine propels the vehicle and charges the batteries
simultaneously.
Pattern (8) is the mode in which the engine charges the batteries, and the batteries supply power to
the load.
Pattern (9) is the mode in which the power flows into the batteries from the heat engine through the
vehicle mass. The typical configuration of this mode is two power trains separately mounted on the
front and the rear axle of the vehicle.
The varied operation modes in a hybrid vehicle create more flexibility over a single power train
vehicle. With proper configuration and control, applying the specific mode for each special operating
condition can optimize overall performance, efficiency, and emissions.
The architecture of a hybrid vehicle is loosely defined as the connection between the components
that define the energy flow routes and control ports. Traditionally, HEVs were classified into two
basic types: series and parallel.
In Figure 5.3, a fuel tank-IC engine and a battery-electric motor are taken, respectively, as examples
of the primary power source (steady power source) and secondary power source (dynamic power
source). Of course, the IC engine can be replaced by other types of power sources, such as fuel cells.
Similarly, the batteries can be replaced by ultracapacitors or by flywheels and their combinations.
A series hybrid drive train is a drive train where two power sources feed a single powerplant (electric
motor) that propels the vehicle. The most commonly found series hybrid drive train is the series
hybrid electric drive train shown in Figure 5.4.
The unidirectional energy source is a fuel tank and the unidirectional energy converter is an engine
coupled to an electric generator. The output of the electric generator is connected to an electric
power bus through an electronic converter (rectifier). The bidirectional energy source is an
electrochemical battery pack, connected to the bus by means of a power electronics converter
(DC/DC converter).
The electric power bus is also connected to the controller of the electric traction motor. The traction
motor can be controlled either as a motor or a generator, and in forward or reverse motion. This
drive train may need a battery charger to charge the batteries by a wall plug-in from the power
network.
Series hybrid electric drive trains potentially have the following operation modes:
1. Pure electric mode: The engine is turned off and the vehicle is propelled only by the batteries.
2. Pure engine mode: The vehicle traction power only comes from the engine-generator, while the
batteries neither supply nor draw any power from the drive train. The electric machines serve as an
electric transmission from the engine to the driven wheels.
4. Engine traction and battery charging mode: The engine-generator supplies power to charge the
batteries and to propel the vehicle.
5. Regenerative braking mode: The engine-generator is turned off and the traction motor is
operated as a generator. The power generated is used to charge the batteries.
6. Battery charging mode: The traction motor receives no power and the engine-generator charges
the batteries.
7. Hybrid battery charging mode: Both the engine-generator and the traction motor operate as
generators to charge the batteries.
1. The engine is fully mechanical when decoupled from the driven wheels. Therefore, it can be
operated at any point on its speed–torque characteristic map, and can potentially be operated solely
within its maximum efficiency region as shown in Figure 5.4. The efficiency and emissions of the
engine can be further improved by optimal design and control in this narrow region. A narrow region
allows greater improvements than an optimization across the entire range. Furthermore, the
mechanical decoupling of the engine from the driven wheels allows the use of a high-speed engine.
This makes it difficult to power the wheels directly through a mechanical link, such as gas turbines or
powerplants, with slow dynamics like the Stirling engine.
2. Because electric motors have near-ideal torque–speed characteristics, they do not need multigear
transmissions.Therefore, their construction is greatly simplified and the cost is reduced.
Furthermore, instead of using one motor and a differential gear, two motors may be used, each
powering a single wheel. This provides speed decoupling between the two wheels like a differential
but also acts as a limited slip differential for traction control purposes.
The ultimate refinement would use four motors, thus making the vehicle an all-wheel-drive without
the expense and complexity of differentials and drive shafts running through the frame.
3. Simple control strategies may be used as a result of the mechanical decoupling provided by the
electrical transmission.
1. The energy from the engine is converted twice (mechanical to electrical in the generator and
electrical to mechanical in the traction motor). The inefficiencies of the generator and traction
motor add up and the losses may be significant.
3. The traction motor must be sized to meet maximum requirements since it is the only powerplant
propelling the vehicle.
(NOTE- If question is asked like explain parallel hybrid train give one example from all three
classification)
The mechanical combination of the engine and electric motor power leaves room for several
different configurations, detailed hereafter
(i) Torque-Coupling Parallel Hybrid Electric Drive Trains The mechanical coupling in Figure 5.5 may
be a torque or speed coupling. The torque coupling adds the torques of the engine and the electric
motor together or splits the engine torque into two parts: propelling and battery charging. Figure 5.6
conceptually shows a mechanical torque coupling, which has two inputs. One is from the engine and
one is from the electric motor. The mechanical torque coupling outputs to the mechanical
transmission.
where k1 and k2 are the constants determined by the parameters of torque coupling There are a
variety of configurations in torque coupling hybrid drive trains. They are classified into two-shaft and
one-shaft designs. In each category, the transmission can be placed in different positions and
designed with different gears, resulting in different tractive characteristics. An optimum design will
Figure 5.8 shows a two-shaft configuration design, in which two transmissions are used: one is
placed between the engine and the torque coupling and other is placed between the motor and
torque coupling. Both transmissions may be single or multigear
Another configuration of the two-shaft parallel hybrid drive train is shown in Figure 5.10, in which
the transmission is located between the torque coupling and drive shaft. This configuration would be
suitable in the case when a relatively small engine and electric motor are used, and where a
multigear transmission is needed to enhance the tractive effort at low speeds.
However, in the posttransmission configuration as shown in Figure 5.12, the transmission can only
modify the engine torque while the motor torque is directly delivered to the driven wheels. This
configuration may be used in the drive train where a large electric motor with a long constant power
Another torque coupling parallel hybrid drive train is the separated axle architecture, in which one
axle is powered by the engine and another is powered by the electric motor (Figure 5.13). The
tractive efforts from the two power trains are added through the vehicle chassis and the road. The
operating principle is similar to the two-shaft configuration shown in Figure 5.8.
Figure 5.15 shows two typical speed-coupling devices: one is a planetary gear unit and the other is
an electric motor with a floating stator, called a transmotor in this book. A planetary gear unit is a
three-port unit consisting of the sun gear, the ring gear, and the yoke labeled 1, 2, and 3,
respectively.
The speed and torque relationship between the three ports indicates that the unit is a speed-
coupling device, in which the speed, the sun gear, and the ring gear are added together and output
through the yoke. The constants k1 and k2 depend only on the radius of each gear or the number of
teeth of each gear.
Another interesting device used in speed coupling is an electric motor (called a transmotor), in which
the stator, generally fixed to a stationary frame, is released as a power-input port. The other two
ports are the rotor and the airgap through which electric energy is converted into mechanical energy
The transmission is used to modify the speed–torque characteristics of the engine so as to match
the traction requirements. The electric motor supplies its power to the ring gear through a pair of
gears. Locks 1 and 2 are used to lock the sun gear and ring gear to the standstill frame of the vehicle
in order to satisfy the different operation mode requirements.
1. Hybrid traction: When locks 1 and 2 are released the sun gear and ring gear can rotate and both
the engine and electric machine supply positive speed and torque (positive power) to the driven
wheels.
2. Engine-alone traction: When lock 2 locks the ring gear to the vehicle frame and lock 1 is released
only the engine supplies power to the driven wheels.
4. Regenerative braking: Lock 1 is set in locking state, the engine is shut off or clutch is disengaged,
and the electric machine is controlled in regenerating operation (negative torque). The kinetic or
potential energy of the vehicle can be absorbed by the electric system.
5. Battery charging from the engine: When the controller sets a negative speed for the electric
machine, the electric machine absorbs energy from the engine.
The drive train, consisting of the transmotor as shown in Figure 5.17, has a structure similar to that
in Figure 5.16. Locks 1 and 2 are used to lock the stator to the vehicle frame and the stator to the
rotor, respectively. This drive train can fulfill all the operation modes mentioned above.
By combining torque and speed coupling together, one may constitute a hybrid drive train in which
torque and speed coupling states can be alternatively chosen.
Figure 5.18 shows such an example. When the torque coupling operation mode is chosen as the
current mode, lock 2 locks the ring gear of the planetary unit to the vehicle frame, while clutches 1
and 3 are engaged and clutch 2 is disengaged. The powers of the engine and the electric motor are
added together by adding their torques together (refer to equation [5.1]), and then delivered to the
driven wheels. In this case, the engine torque and the electric motor are decoupled, but their speeds
have a fixed relationship
When the speed-coupling mode is chosen as the current operating mode, clutch 1 is engaged,
whereas clutches 2 and 3 are disengaged, and locks 1 and 2 release the sun gear and the ring gear.
The speed of the yoke, connected to the drive wheels, is the combination of engine speed and motor
speed. But the engine torque, the electric motor torque, and the torque on the driven wheels are
kept in a fixed relationship.
The planetary gear unit traction motor in Figure 5.18 can be replaced by a transmotor to constitute a
similar drive train as shown in Figure 5.19.12 When clutch 1 is engaged to couple the engine shaft to