Week-3 Challenge: ADVISOR Tool

CASE I: For EV_defaults_in file, if cargo mass is 500 kg with all other default conditions, can the vehicle travel for 45 km with FTP drive cycle? Conclude your observations.

In the ADVISOR Vehicle Input GUI select Load File as 'EV_defaults_in file' from the drop down menu. Also change the Cargo mass to 500 kg in the bottom right corner of the interface.

Vehicle Input ADVISOR Window

Then select 'continue'. Here from the drop down menu of the Drive Cycle select 'CYC_FTP' driving cycle.

Simulation Parameters ADVISOR Window

Then keeping all the parameters as default, select 'RUN' in the bottom right corner of the interface.

Results ADVISOR Window

In the above results we can see that, Distance (km) is 17.8 km. So, the vehicle can't travel a distance of 45 km in a single recharge. Also, it can be seen that, SOC (second plot) has fallen to zero after nearly 2500 seconds.

CASE II: In the above case, try changing the battery capacity and repeat the simulation.

Changing the Energy Storage to 'ESS_PB65_FocusEV' and keeping the other parameters similar to the last case.

Vehicle Input ADVISOR Window

Then keeping the driving cycle same we RUN the simulation.

Results ADVISOR Window

From the results we can see that, Distance (km) is 17.8 km and the figure hasn't changed but, SOC % at end of 2500 seconds is 0.83 approximately and not zero like the last case. So this means that, in one FTP cycle it covered 17.8 km and charge is still remaining in the battery. So to get how much distance the vehicle will travel in a single charge we need to increase the number of drive cycles for which the simulation is performed. We will perform the simulation for 7 drive cycles.

Simulation Parameters ADVISOR

Change the value of #of cycles value to 7 from 1. Then RUN the simulation.

Results ADVISOR Window

From the above results we can see that, Distance (km) is 96 km and also the % of SOC as indicated by second plot is 0% by 13000 seconds approximately. So in a single charge the vehicle with this configurations can travel a distance of 96 km in a single charge.

CASE III: Perform gradeability test with PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in file. Compare your results in table and conclude.

In the Load File drop down menu select 'PRIUS_Jpn_defaults_in' and rest of the parameters are kept default.

Vehicle Input ADVISOR Window

Then select 'continue' in the bottom right corner of the window.

Simulation Parameters Window

Select Gradeability checkbox and then select Grade Options.

Grade Test Advanced Options

The speed is kept as 55 mph.

Result ADVISOR Window

Then gradeability is 1.7%. Then speed is changed to 45 mph.

Result ADVISOR Window

The gradeability at 45 mph has increased to 2.2 %. Now speed is 35 mph.

Result ADVISOR Window

The gradeability at 45 mph has increased to 2.4 %.

So we can conclude by saying that, as speed increases the gradeability decreases.