Optimisation and control of a hybrid electric car

The paper examines the potential of hybrid electric vehicles and, in particular, a hybrid electric passenger car. Two operating objectives are identified, one for energy saving and the other for substituting petroleum fuel by electrical energy. The way in which the power train control and component rating can be optimised to meet these particular operating objectives is discussed. In the final part of the paper the performance of the optimised hybrid vehicles are compared with both IC engine and electric vehicles and the petroleum substitution design is shown to warrant further development.