Energy Minimization in City Electric Vehicle using Optimized Multi-Speed Transmission

Abstract

This article discusses a set of solutions for creating a city electric car with a low-voltage power supply system for a DC motor. Based on a constructed city vehicle with a low voltage electric drive system, a simulation model was prepared and verified. An energy flow analysis was performed, and the developed simulation model was described. Then, the optimization method was focused on minimizing the energy consumption of the vehicle in the driving cycles under consideration. To mirror the actual road conditions as much as possible, the real traffic cycle registered over an actual route was used in the process of optimization, with the cycle’s velocity profile and recording of the road slope angle used in the simulation program. Established optimality quantitative dependence of the design and control parameters of the gearbox on the operational characteristics of the electric vehicle, which allowed for the determination of parametric and functional limitations during optimization. As a result of employing the described design solutions and optimization of drivetrain parameters, an over 40% reduction in the vehicle’s energy consumption in a real driving cycle test was obtained.