Alternative Approaches to Speed Control in Electric Vehicles

The characteristics of series and shunt d-c motors are reviewed, and the use of such motors as propulsion units in vehicular systems is discussed. Consideration is given to forward driving, reverse driving, forward regenerative braking, reverse regenerative braking, forward plugging, and reverse plugging. Both saturated and unsaturated modes of operation are described.

Various types of controller for use in conjunction with d-c motors in vehicular propulsion are described also. Both electromechanical and electronic types are included.

The relative merits of plugging and regenerative braking are then discussed.