Development and Analysis of Hybrid Electric Two-Wheeler for City Driving

In highly populated countries two-wheelers are the most convenient mode of transportation. But at the same time, these vehicles consume more fuel and produces emissions in urban driving. This work is aimed at developing a hybrid two-wheeler for reducing fuel consumption and emissions by incorporating electric vehicle technology in a conventional two-wheeler. The hybrid electric scooter (HES) made consisted of an electric hub motor in the front wheel as the prime mover for the electrical system. The powertrain of the HES was built using a parallel hybrid structure. The electric system is engaged during startup, low speeds, and idling, with a simple switch facilitating the transition between electric and fuel systems. The HES was fabricated and tested through trial runs in various operating modes. Before conversion to a hybrid system, the two-wheeler achieved a mileage of 34 km/liter. After conversion, the combined power sources resulted in an overall mileage of 55 km. It was observed that the voltage supplied to the motor increases proportionally with speed. The HES model was developed using MATLAB-Simulink, and simulation results indicated that the vehicle operates in electric mode at speeds below 20 km/h and switches to an internal combustion engine above 20 km/h. Operating the HES in electric mode at speeds below 20 km/h can significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions, making it an ideal solution for urban driving in densely populated areas.