Week-3 Challenge: ADVISOR Tool
Aim:- To simulate the given data and conditions of an EV using the ADVISOR Tool in MATLAB.
Objective:
1. Using EV_defaults_in file, if cargo mass is 500 kg with all other default conditions, To find whether the vehicle can travel for 45 km with FTP drive cycle? and To Conclude observations.
2. In the above case, try changing the battery capacity and repeat the simulation.
3. To Perform a gradeability test with the PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file. To compare results in the table and conclude.
Introduction
The ADVISOR tool, developed in November 1994 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), allows users to simulate and analyze conventional, advanced, light, and heavy vehicles, including hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles. The tool allows users to assess the effect of changes in vehicle components (such as motors, batteries, catalytic converters, climate control systems, and alternative fuels) and other modifications that might affect fuel economy, performance, or emissions.
It is a set of models, data, and script text files for use with Matlab and Simulink.
The benefit of using ADVISOR
- Estimate the fuel economy of vehicles that have not yet been built
- Learn about how conventional, hybrid or electric vehicles use (and lose) energy throughout their drivetrains
- Compare relative tailpipe emissions produced on a number of cycles
- Evaluate an energy management strategy for your hybrid vehicle’s fuel converter
- Optimize the gear ratios in your transmission to minimize fuel use or maximize performance, etc.
How To start ADVISOR Tool
- Launch MATLAB and first set the default location folder to the advisor.
- Now in the command window of MATLAB type “advisor” and press enter.
- A new window will open and then set “metric” for unit and start ADVISOR.
- It will launch in a new window.
Advisor tools have 3 windows:
1. Vehicle Input window
2. Simulation Parameter window
3. Results window

Q1. For the EV_defaults_in file, if cargo mass is 500 kg with all other default conditions, can the vehicle travel for 45 km with an FTP drive cycle? Conclude your observations.
First, loading EV_defaults_in from the drop-down menu and changing Parallel_default_in to EV_defaults_in from the Vehicle Input window.
- Now changing the cargo mass to 500 kg
- A change in the total mass of the vehicle can be seen.
- Clicking on the continue button after that a new window simulation parameter will pop up.

- In Simulation Parameter window change drive cycle to CYC_FTP by selecting the drop-down menu.
- Below that we will see # of cycles from here we can set our drive cycle.

- After pressing the RUN button, the simulation will start and it will show results in a new window.

The distance travelled by the vehicle in the 1 drive cycle is 17.8km. Used almost 40% SOC.
Increasing no, of drive cycle to 2.

The result with 2 no. of Drive cycles.

The distance travelled by the vehicle with 2 drive cycle is 35.5km. Used almost 81% SOC.
Increasing no. of a cycle to 3.

Result with 3 no, of the drive cycles.

The distance travelled by the vehicle in 3 drive cycle is 41.4. Used almost 100% SOC.
| No. of Drive Cycles | Distance covered in km |
| 1 | 17.8 |
| 2 | 35.5 |
| 3 | 41.4 |
The minimum distance travel by car is 17.8 km with cycle CYC_FTP-1 whereas the maximum distance travel by car is 41.4 which consumes 100% of battery in 3 derive cycles.
Therefore EV_default cannot travel a distance of 45 km due to insufficient SOC.
Q2. In the above case, try changing the battery capacity and repeat the simulation.
- In-Vehicle Input window we will change the capacity of battery from energy storage which will be open in 1st
- "#of mod V nom” describes the battery capacity, so we will change the module number of batteries from the first box and we will see that changes in voltage and weight of the battery.
- A new Simulation Parameter window will open, here we will change the drive cycle to 2 or 3, one at a time and run the simulation.
- After completing of simulation, we will see the result window where we observe the change in distance of vehicle travel.
- We can repeat this simulation by changing the battery module and the drive cycle.
- Energy Storage System with 26 modules & 2 drive cycles.

Results:- - Energy Storage System with 27 modules & 2 drive cycles.
Results:- - Energy Storage System with 28 modules & 2 drive cycles.
Results:- - Energy Storage System with 26 modules & 3 drive cycles.

Results:-
- Energy Storage System with 27 modules & 3 drive cycles.
Result:- - Energy Storage System with 28 modules & 3 drive cycles.
Results:-
Drive Cycle - 2
| Battery | Mod Voltage | Km | Battery weight |
| 26 | 321 | 35.5 | 286 |
| 27 | 333 | 35.5 | 297 |
| 28 | 345 | 35.5 | 308 |
Drive Cycle - 3
| Battery | Mod Voltage | Km | Battery weight |
| 26 | 321 | 42.7 | 286 |
| 27 | 333 | 44.8 | 297 |
| 28 | 345 | 46.3 | 308 |
Battery modules 28 and with 3 drive cycles, the distance travelled is 46.3km.
- While changing the battery module in drive cycle 2 we get constant distance travel.
- Changing the battery module in drive cycle 3 we get changes in distance travel by vehicle.
- To cover a 45km distance a 28 module 345-volt battery is required.
Q3. Perform gradeability test with PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file. Compare your results in the table and conclude.
- In the ADVISOR tool Vehicle Input window select the PRIUS_Jpn_default model.
- Continue to the next window.

- The simulation Parameter window will open.
- Select the gradeability test and click on the grade Option box, a new dialogue box will open.

- In the grade option box we can change speed or duration with respect to our simulation.
- So, for this simulation, I change speed one time and duration another time.
- Click on All system enabled.
- Also, click on constant road grade.
- Click Ok and run the simulation and a Result window will open showing different results depending upon input data.
Result for the Duration - 10sec
- Speed - 20mph or 32.2kmph
Gradeability = 19.8%
- Speed - 25mph or 40.2kmph
Gradeability = 16.5%
- Speed - 30mph or 48.3kmph
Gradeability = 14.7%
- Speed - 35mph or 56.3kmph
Gradeability = 13%
- Speed - 40mph or 64.3kmph
Gradeability = 11.7%
- Speed - 45mph or 72.4kmph
Gradeability = 10.7%
For duration - 10sec
| S.No | Vehicle Speed in mph | Vehicle Speed in Kmph | Gradeability in % |
| 1 | 20 | 32.2 | 19.8 |
| 2 | 25 | 40.2 | 16.5 |
| 3 | 30 | 48.3 | 14.7 |
| 4 | 35 | 56.3 | 13.0 |
| 5 | 40 | 64.4 | 11.7 |
| 6 | 45 | 72.4 | 10.7 |
Result for the duration - 20sec
- Speed - 20mph or 32.2kmph
Gradeability = 22.9%
- Speed - 25mph or 40.2kmph
Gradeability = 19.7%
- Speed - 30mph or 48.3kmph
Gradeability = 17.7%
- Speed - 35mph or 56.3kmph
Gradeability = 16%
- Speed - 40mph or 64.4kmph
Gradeability = 14.6%
- Speed - 45mph or 72.4kmph
Gradeability = 13.4%
For Duration - 20sec
| S.No | Vehicle Speed in mph | Vehicle Speed in Kmph | Gradeability in % |
| 1 | 20 | 32.2 | 22.9 |
| 2 | 25 | 40.2 | 19.7 |
| 3 | 30 | 48.3 | 17.7 |
| 4 | 35 | 56.3 | 16.0 |
| 5 | 40 | 64.4 | 14.6 |
| 6 | 45 | 72.4 | 13.4 |
From the above tables, it can be seen that when vehicle speed increases there is a decrease in gradeability for both 10sec and 20sec duration. when vehicle speed increases there is a decrease in gradeability.