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Testing energy efficiency and driving range of electric vehicles in relation to gear selection
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Testing energy efficiency and driving range of electric vehicles in relation to gear selection

G. Wager, M.P. McHenry, J. Whale and T. Bräunl
Renewable Energy, Vol.62, pp.303-312
2013
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Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to be operated using a clean, renewable energy source. However, a major limitation is their relatively short vehicle driving range and the associated driver ‘range anxiety’. This research investigates the effect of gearing on energy consumption and driving range efficiency on an EV-converted Ford Focus using a chassis dynamometer in a controlled test environment in accordance with international standards. Two designs of the Ford Focus were used in the tests; one with an automatic gear drive, and the other with a manual gear drive. The electricity consumption of the two cars driving under different gearing configurations was measured under identical drive cycles. The vehicle range tests showed that measuring energy consumption on just two consecutive drive cycles on a calibrated chassis dynamometer will lead to a small overestimation of the energy consumption due to a ‘cold’ drive train. The results also suggest greater attention needs to be paid to EV battery charger efficiency, particularly in terms of standby energy consumption, which can increase the total energy required for EV owners markedly.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#7 Affordable and Clean Energy
#11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
#13 Climate Action

Source: InCites

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
4 Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Computer Science
4.18 Power Systems & Electric Vehicles
4.18.788 Electric Vehicles
Web Of Science research areas
Energy & Fuels
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
ESI research areas
Engineering
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