Integrated Thermal Analysis of an All-Electric Vehicle

Simulation of electric vehicles is essential to analyze vehicle parameters and vehicle components. Components like battery, power electronics and electric motor need to be below specified temperature range in order to operate safely and efficiently. Simplified first-order simulations to estimate vehicle range and energy consumption along with component temperature variation for a specified driving cycle was completed. “Backward” faced simulation method is used to calculate traction force, total power, battery current, state of charge (SOC) serially in a direction opposite to power flow. Output parameters like range and energy consumption per 100 km obtained from simulations compared against first-generation Chevrolet Volt specifications. A lumped capacitance-based thermal model was derived to predict the temperature of vehicle components. Heat loss in component estimated based on simplified drivetrain model assuming constant efficiency of electric motor and power electronics.