Tradeoffs in ultra-efficient vehicle design: Lessons from the automotive X PRIZE

Author

Taylor, William ; Nelson, Jody J. ; Winkelman, Jim

Author_Institution

kVA, Greenville, SC, USA

fYear

2011

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

7

Abstract

In 2010 over fifty advanced vehicle prototypes competed in the $10M Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE competition for 100 MPGe vehicles. Battery electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and traditional ICE vehicles were all represented. The competing vehicles were rigorously tested for fuel economy, range, emissions, and other performance characteristics. This paper presents selected data with a view toward establishing relative merits of fuel economy and overall powertrain efficiency design strategies. Specific examples are used to illustrate the most effective fuel economy strategies; including powertrain selection, charging and regenerative braking strategies, and vehicle platform optimization. Based on this comparison, conclusions are drawn about the relative effectiveness of widely varying strategies for ultra-high-mileage design.

Keywords

battery powered vehicles; environmental factors; fuel economy; hybrid electric vehicles; automotive X PRIZE; battery electric vehicles; fuel economy; performance characteristics; plug-in hybrid vehicles; traditional ICE vehicles; ultra efficient vehicle design; ultra high mileage design; vehicle prototypes; Batteries; Force; Fuel economy; Ice; Mechanical power transmission; Resistance; Vehicles; Electric vehicles; Energy efficiency; Fuel economy; Road vehicles;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference (VPPC), 2011 IEEE

Conference_Location

Chicago, IL

ISSN

Pending

Print_ISBN

978-1-61284-248-6

Electronic_ISBN

Pending

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/VPPC.2011.6043037

Filename

6043037