Comparing the Economic Performance of Series-Parallel and Range-Extended Hybrid Vehicles

This study conducted a comprehensive economic evaluation of two major HEV architectures: the series-parallel configuration and the range-extended configuration. An analysis of these two configurations was performed using integrated vehicle and control models, allowing for a direct comparison of energy efficiency and operational economy. Findings show that the range-extended configuration has clear advantages in structural complexity, simplicity of control strategy, and development cost, while its energy consumption performance is similar to that of the series-parallel configuration. The results challenge the long-standing notion that range-extended configuration is less efficient, offering a new perspective on the design and configuration choices for hybrid electric vehicles.