Performance evaluation of a low cost series hybrid electric vehicle

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Description/Abstract

The escalating amount of vehicles on the road has raised awareness to vehicular environmental
impacts and sustainability; this has provided a stimulus for future mobility considerations. The
conventional car may not meet future requirements regarding noise, emissions and energy
consumption. There is a distinct lack of short-term alternative solutions that meet consumer
requirements and has a potential for mass production. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine has
been developed over 100 years and there may be some risk that the automotive companies choose to
invest into the “wrong” alternative.
This paper presents a development process in an attempt to find answer this dilemma. The first
consideration is the vehicle performance criteria that take into account consumer expectations and
operational/regulatory/environmental factors. Secondly, the drive train components are identified,
most are commercially available, and are particular to these factors. Finally, a computer simulation is
used to assess the performance of the vehicle, in comparison with the factors.
The result of these investigations is a series hybrid electric vehicle that is recharged from the mains.
The fuel consumption is four times better than that of a comparable car, but vehicle mass and cost
have not increased significantly. The driving range of this vehicle is not limited to the batterycapacity.
This vehicle meets the consumer expectations as well as environmental issues and benefits with added
driver comfort. Still being low-cost, it provides the potential for mass-production and thus reducing
overall impacts on the environment.