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Content archived on 2024-06-10

Energy optimised traction system for electric vehicle

Objective



Objectives and content
In order to improve both the energy utilisation and
acceleration/regenerative braking performance of Electric
and Hybrid vehicles, electro-chemical supercapacitors and
electro-mechanical flywheels are being developed for use
as peak power buffer units. However, to date, it has
been assumed that such units would be interfaced directly
to the dc link of a conventional traction system via
additional standard power electronic converters, which
adds complexity and cost, compromises the potential
performance improvement, and limits the scope for
integrating the power electronics.
This proposal will completely re-evaluate the format of
the electric traction system for a passenger vehicle,
starting with state-of-art components and more
specifically:
High efficiency permanent magnet traction motor,
Supercapacitor or flywheel as peak power source with
energy efficient / low cost power conditioning,
Fully integrated power electronics unit to function as
traction controller / battery charger.
Appraisal and analysis of new traction systems and
relevant energy management will be carried out. New
schemes are proposed for the optimal use of
supercapacitors or flywheel in the system and a selection
of the most promising Energy Optimised Traction System
with the best efficiency and cost saving capability will
be done.
It will embody a power electronics unit, which is capable
of interfacing to state-of-the-art developments in energy
storage batteries, flywheel/supercapacitor peak power
sources and high efficiency/high performance traction
machines.
Expected achievements are a gain of up to 25 % in the
range of the vehicle for a given stored battery energy,
compared with current traction system technology, and 50
% of cost reduction of the power conversion electronics.
Components will be designed and manufactured or
provisioned using available material processing
technology: magnetic motor will be optimised for high
efficiency; power electronics unit will be assembled
using full integrated process for low cost and volume,
improved EMC compliance and energy management. Battery
cells supercapacitor elements and flywheel will be
adapted to the new system requirement on the basis of
existing components in relation with current E.C.
supported projects.
The Energy Optimised Traction System will be assembled
and tested on a test-bench for range and performances
evaluation.
The partnership combines the expertise of an end user
(car manufacturer), technology providers in electrical
equipment (batteries, power systems), manufacturing SME's
(drives, controls and machine design) and research
developers (power electronics, EV systems). This cooperation will guarantee a highly efficient response to
the cost and range improvement of the electric vehicle,
thereby offering new solutions to EV car and components
manufacturers. This is a key element for penetration in
the future growing market of electric and hybrid
vehicles, highly competitive due to the presence of
American and Japanese manufacturers, who are already
prototyping new types of vehicles.

Call for proposal

Data not available

Coordinator

Alcatel Alsthom Recherche
EU contribution
No data
Address
Route de Nozay
91460 Marcoussis
France

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Total cost
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Participants (7)