Analyze vehicle Models using ADVISOR Tool

AIM:

1. To analyze range of vehicle in the ‘EV_defaults_in’ file using default parameters and with cargo weight increased to 500kg.
2. To analyze range of vehicle in the ‘EV_defaults_in’ file with above parameters but with a different battery pack.
3. To perform Gradability test with ‘PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in’ file.

OBJECTIVE:

To get familiarized with the ADVISOR Tool and understand its capabilities.

SOLUTION:

The ADVISOR (Advanced Vehicle Simulator) Tool has been developed for rapid analysis of the performance and fuel economy of conventional, electric, and hybrid vehicles. It also provides a backbone for the detailed simulation and analysis of user defined drivetrain components.

1. To analyze if the vehicle in the ‘EV_defaults_in’ file having default parameters & with cargo weight increased to 500kg can complete a distance of 45km with the FTP drive cycle.

The Range of an Electric vehicle is the distance which it can cover until the SOC of its Battery goes from 100% to 0%.

The ‘EV_defaults_in’ file was selected and only the cargo mass was changed to 500kg keeping all other parameters unaltered. This vehicle uses the ESS_PB25 Lead-Acid Battery (12V 26Ah) for energy storage. In the next step, the FTP Drive Cycle was chosen. The vehicle was then simulated for a single cycle of FTP.

The results of the SOC of the battery:

The results show that, for a single FTP drive cycle, the SOC of the battery reduces to about 70% and the vehicle covers a distance of 12km.

Since there is charge left in the battery, the vehicle can cover additional distance. Thus , for the next simulation the no. of FTP cycles is increased to 4.

The following results were observed:

The distance covered by the vehicle is of 41.5km utill its battery discharges completely. Thus, the vehicle cannot complete a distance 45km even if the allowed DOD is considered to be 100%.

2.To analyze range of vehicle in the ‘EV_defaults_in’ file with above parameters but with a battery different rating.

In this case, the battery used is the ESS_PB25_IDEAL. It can be observed that the ideal model of the previous battery actually makes it possible for the vehicle to complete a distance of 45km in a single charge. The distance covered of 46.1km exceeds the specified range of the electric vehicle.

3. To perform Gradability test with ‘PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in’ file.

The gradability Test checkbox was enabled in step two for the gradability test. Here, the angle was kept constant and the speed of the vehicle was varied to test the variation of gradability with speed. This was configured using the ‘Grade Options’ button available.

The variation with speed is tabulated below:

CONCLUSION:

1. Better Battery packs result in an increased range of the vehicle

2. Gradability decreases with increasing velocity and is maximum for speed range in 30-40mph (6deg) for given case