Current focus on techniques to reduce the tailpipe carbon
dioxide (CO₂) emissions of road vehicles is increasing the interest
in hybrid and electric vehicle technologies. Pure electric vehicles
require bulky, heavy, and expensive battery packs to enable an
acceptable drivable range to be achieved. Extended-range electric
vehicles (E-REVs) partly overcome the limitations of current
battery technology by having an onboard fuel converter that
converts a liquid fuel, such as gasoline, into electrical energy
whilst the vehicle is driving. Thus enabling the traction battery
storage capacity to be reduced, whilst still maintaining an
acceptable vehicle range.
This paper presents results from a drive style analysis toolset
that enable US and EU fleet vehicle drive data to be categorized
and compared. Key metrics, such as idle frequency, idle duration,
vehicle speed, and vehicle acceleration are analyzed. Vehicle usage
patterns in the US and EU have been compared against each other and
to relevant legislative drive cycles.
Based on results from examination of the fleet data, a
drive-cycle is selected and used as the basis for analysis of the
fuel converter requirements for a hypothetical E-REV based on a
typical European C-class vehicle. The influence of drive-cycle and
battery pack size on the fuel converter requirement is discussed.
Finally, the influence of the fuel converter efficiency upon the
new European Drive Cycle (NEDC) fuel consumption of the E-REV is
assessed.