An Ultra-Efficient Lightweight Electric Vehicle—Power Demand Analysis to Enable Lightweight Construction

A detailed analysis of the power demand an ultraefficient lightweight-battery electric vehicle is performed. The aim to overcome problem lightweight vehicles that may have a relatively bad environmental impact if their not extremely reduced. In particular, higher during production phase, which should be balanced by lower service life means design. As example vehicle, prototype for Shell Eco-marathon competition considered. “tank-to-wheel” multiphysics model (thermo-electro-mechanical) was developed in “Matlab-Simscape”. includes battery, DC motors, motor controller and drag forces. preliminary validation performed considering experimental data acquisitions completed 2019 European at Brooklands Circuit (UK). Numerical simulations are employed assess sharing energy consumption among main dissipation sources. From analysis, we found sources mechanical (i.e., rolling resistance, gravitational/inertial force aerodynamic drag) same role defining such kind vehicles. Moreover, effect parameters mass, coefficient tire resistance coefficient) on analyzed through sensitivity analysis. Results showed linear correlation between variation demand, with mass exhibiting highest influence. results this study provide fundamental information address critical decisions designing new more efficient vehicles, as they allow designer clearly identify keep under control design phase most promising areas action.