Evaluation of a multi-modal driver coaching function for electric vehicles

Several different driver coaching approaches exist that aim at supporting eco-friendly driving. Most of these approaches have been designed for vehicles with combustion engines and could therefore not be simply adapted to fully electric vehicles (FEVs) because of the different vehicle architecture. The study at hand outlines a driver coaching function that has been developed especially for FEVs. The function aims at promoting an efficient driving style and thus should support the driver optimise energy consumption and remaining range. The coaching function provides specific real-time feedback via head-up display addressing several different aspects of the driver behaviour. In addition, the coaching advice is also used to trigger an active accelerator pedal in order to address an additional feedback channel for the driver coaching. A driver coaching study was then conducted to evaluate the coaching concept and to compare it with two further common coaching approaches. The study results show a significant improvement of energy efficiency as well as the usefulness and high acceptance of the specific driver coaching function. The results could also show the potential of the active forced-feedback pedal as a reasonable feedback channel for driver coaching.