Evaluating the TU/e Lupo EL BEV performance

The TU/e has developed a battery electric vehicle (BEV) using a VW Lupo 3L as donor platform. The differences between the initial design calculations and actual vehicle performance are analysed. Battery charging and discharging efficiency, acceleration performance and top speed are as expected. The range at low, constant speeds is less than expected, due to a higher rolling resistance and lower power train efficiency at reduced power levels. The Lupo EL can nevertheless compete with electric vehicles offered by different car manufacturers today and has an attractive set of specifications. Both energy consumption and range appear to be quite good in comparison, due to the combination of low vehicle mass, good aerodynamic properties and large battery capacity. The donor vehicle, a VW Lupo 3L diesel, can be considered as one of the most fuel efficient vehicles being mass produced and is indicative for internal combustion cars of the future. The low fuel consumption has been confirmed by tests. In a direct comparison, the electric variant still has 30 to 50% lower CO₂ emissions when using electricity from the grid in the Netherlands. These advantages disappear when including the CO₂ emissions of battery production. Depending on the electricity price and driving conditions, the energy costs per kilometre are 25% to 70% lower compared to the Lupo 3L diesel.