Title: Performance modelling and simulation of a hybrid electric scooter

Authors: Wai Kean Yap, Vishy Karri

Addresses: School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 65, Hobart 7001, Australia. ' Australian College of Kuwait, P.O. Box 1411, Safat 13015, Kuwait

Abstract: This paper presents a model developed on the Matlab/Simulink platform for the operation and optimisation of a scooter|s hybrid powertrain. The model, which is a parallel hybrid structure, is powered by a two-stroke Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) coupled with an electric hub motor to make up the scooter|s propulsion unit. The model was built and the simulation results are shown. The developed multi-mode Matlab/Simulink hybrid electric scooter model demonstrates that the petrol and energy costs are significantly reduced compared to traditional petrol and electric scooters. The costs were reduced per every 100 km compared to traditional petrol and electric scooters. Research showed that to achieve higher distances with lower petrol consumption, a hybrid scooter is more reliable. The qualitative trends showed that the multi-mode approach minimises petrol consumption by minimising the usage of the ICE. This was examined on the Standard European Driving Cycle (ECE-15) driving cycle. In this paper, it is argued that this multimode hybrid approach reduces cost compared with petrol scooters and increases the distance travelled compared with pure electric scooters.

Keywords: hybrid scooters; modelling; simulation; powertrain systems; hybrid vehicles; two-stroke engines; internal combustion engines; electric hub motor.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEHV.2009.027676

International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, 2009 Vol.2 No.1, pp.43 - 63

Received: 18 Mar 2008
Accepted: 18 Jul 2008

Published online: 07 Aug 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article