Objective based modelling and simulation within a context of an electric vehicle development program

Modelling and simulation have become inseparable activities in any applied science or engineering research and development endeavour. The nature of inseparability is even more evident in the case of the automotive industry. Adding to the modelling complexity are the electric vehicles with a rich interplay of previously well demarcated disciplines of electrical-electronics engineering and mechanical-automotive engineering (and to a lesser extent chemical engineering). A traditional internal combustion engine vehicle development program has very well segmented and well defined set of modelling and simulation activities. The modelling and simulation tools used are mature and have been tested and proven. However, an electric vehicle program often suffers if a decision to pursue the traditional approach is accepted. The complex interplay of different disciplines, the lack of expert/mature modelling and simulation tools and constantly changing landscape of electric vehicles tend to keep the electric vehicle modelling and simulation groups small, esoteric and often lacking in direction. In this work we define three guiding principles for a modelling and simulation group in the context of an electric vehicle development program. The interaction between three connected but dissimilar facets of modelling and simulation, i.e., vehicle level simulation, sub-system level modelling and simulation and model inspired in-vehicle algorithms are explored based on objectives that are defined before the start of the modelling and simulation exercise. The importance of finding the right common thread, model fidelity and continuous learning are discussed.