Title: Analysis of energy efficiency and driving range of electric vehicles equipped with a bimotor architecture propulsion system

Authors: Pedro Daniel Urbina Coronado; Horacio Ahuett-Garza

Addresses: Center for Innovation, Design and Technology, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, 64849 Monterrey, NL, Mexico

Abstract: Electric vehicles (EVs) offer the potential for energy-efficient transportation. To increase consumer acceptance, improved driving range and fault-tolerant traction represent two important challenges. This paper proposes a powertrain architecture that can provide fault-tolerant traction and increase the driving range for EV. In the proposed system, the traction power of two motors is combined through a planetary gear train (PGT). The propulsion system can operate with only one motor or with any combination of speeds in the two motors. The performance of the proposed powertrain architecture is analysed through simulations. Two different configurations are compared with conventional electric powertrain designs. The simulations account for different types of driving cycles and electric motor efficiency maps. Results indicate that the proposed powertrain architecture produces improvements in overall efficiency and driving range.

Keywords: EVs; electric vehicles; powertrain architecture; planetary gear train; energy efficiency; PSD; power split device; epicycle differential; bimotors; fault tolerant traction; efficiency maps; driving range; propulsion systems; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEHV.2014.065723

International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, 2014 Vol.6 No.2, pp.152 - 177

Received: 23 Nov 2013
Accepted: 31 May 2014
Published online: 10 Nov 2014 *

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