UNIT –III

HYBRID ELECTRIC DRIVE TRAINS

HYBRID ELECTRIC DRIVE TRAINS:

The term hybrid vehicle refers to a vehicle with at least two sources of power. Hybrid-electric
vehicle indicates that one source of power is provided by an electric motor.Theother source of
motive power can come from a number of different technologies, but is typically provided by an
internal combustion engine designed to run on either gasoline or diesel fuel. As proposed by
Technical Committee (Electric Road Vehicles) of the International Electro technical
Commission, an HEV is a vehicle in which propulsion energy is available from two or more
types of energy sources and at least one of them can deliver electrical energy. Based on this
general definition, there are many types of HEVs, such as:
 the gasoline ICE and battery
 diesel ICE and battery
 battery andFC
 battery and capacitor
 battery and flywheel
 Battery and battery hybrids.

Most commonly, the propulsion force in HEV is provided by a combination of electric motor and an ICE.
The electric motor is used to improve the energy efficiency (improves fuel consumption) and vehicular
emissions while the ICE provides extended rangecapability.

Energy Savings Potential of Hybrid Drivetrains

In terms of overall energy efficiency, the conceptual advantages of a hybrid over a conventional
vehicle are:
 Regenerative braking.
A hybrid can capture some of the energy normally lost as heat to the mechanical
brakes by using its electric drive motor(s) in generator mode to brake thevehicle
 More efficient operation of the ICE, including reduction of idle:
A hybrid can avoid some of the energy losses associated with engine operation
at speed and load combinations where the engine is inefficient by using the
energy storage device to either absorb part of the ICE’s output or augment it or
even substitute for it. This allows the ICE to operate only at speeds and loads
where it is most efficient. When an HEV is stopped, rather than running the
 engine at idle, where it is extremely inefficient, the control system may either
shut off the engine, with the storage device providing auxiliary power (for
heating or cooling the vehicle interior, powering headlights, etc.), or run the
engine at a higher-than-idle (more efficient) power setting and use the excess
power (over auxiliary loads) to recharge the storage device. When the vehicle
control system can shut the engine off at idle, the drivetrain can be designed so
that the drive motor also serves as the starter motor, allowing extremely rapid
restart due to the motor’s high starting torque.
 Smaller ICE: Since the storage device can take up a part of the load, the
HEV’s ICE can be down sized. The ICE may be sized for the continuous load
and not for the very high short-term acceleration load. This enables the ICE to
operate at a higher fraction of its rated power, generally at higher fuel
efficiency, during most of thedriving.
There are counterbalancing factors reducing hybrids’ energy advantage, including:
 Potential for higher weight.

Although the fuel-driven energy source on a hybrid generally will be of lower

power and weight than the engine in a conventional vehicle of similar
performance, total hybrid weight is likely to be higher than the conventional
vehicle it replaces because of the added weight of the storage device, electric
motor(s), and other components.
Electrical losses.

Although individual electric drivetrain components tend to be quite efficient for one-way energy
flows, in many hybrid configurations, electricity flows back and forth through components in a
way that leads to cascading losses. Further, some of the components may be forced to operate
under conditions where they have reduced efficiency. For example, like ICEs, most electric
motors have lower efficiency at the low-speed, low-load conditions often encountered in city
driving. Without careful component selection and a control strategy that minimizes electric
losses, much of the theoretical efficiency advantage often associated with an electric drivetrain
canbelost.
HEV Configurations
In Figure 2 the generic concept of a hybrid drivetrain and possible energy flow route
is shown. The various possible ways of combining the power flow to meet the driving
requirements are:
i. power train 1 alone deliverspower
ii. power train 2 alone deliverspower
iii. both power train 1 and 2 deliver power to load at the sametime
iv. power train 2 obtains power from load (regenerativebraking)
v. power train 2 obtains power from power train1
vi. power train 2 obtains power from power train 1 and load at the sametime
vii. power train 1 delivers power simultaneously to load and to power train2
viii. power train 1 delivers power to power train 2 and power train 2
delivers power aton load
ix. power train 1 delivers power to load and load delivers power to
power train 2.
 Figure 2:Generic Hybrid Drivetrain [1]

The load power of a vehicle varies randomly in actual operation due to frequent
acceleration, deceleration and climbing up and down the grades. The power
requirement for a typical driving scenario is shown in Figure 3. The load power can
be decomposed into two parts:
i. steady power, i.e. the power with a constant value
ii. dynamic power, i.e. the power whose average value is zero

Power [kW] Power [kW] Power [kW]

Dynamic Power
Average power

0
0

0



Time [s] Time [s]

Figure3:Loadpowerdec
ompositin
In HEV one powertrain favours steady state operation, such as an ICE or fuel cell.
The other powertrain in the HEV is used to supply the dynamic power. The total
energy output from the dynamic powertrain will be zero in the whole driving cycle.
Generally, electric motors are used to meet the dynamic power demand. This hybrid
drivetrain concept can be implemented by different configurations asfollows:
 Seriesconfiguration
 Parallelconfiguration
 Series-parallelconfiguration
 Complexconfiguration
In Figure 4 the functional block diagrams of the various HEV configurations is
shown. From Figure 4 it can be observed that the key feature of:
 series hybrid is to couple the ICE with the generator to produce electricity
for pure electricpropulsion.
 parallel hybrid is to couple both the ICE and electric motor with
the transmission via the same drive shaft to propel thevehicle

Fuel I
Fuel IC Mech.
tank engine coupler
C tank engi
Transmission

Transmission
Gennerea
tor
Generator

Power
Electric converter Electric
Battery
motor (elec. motor
coupler)
Power
Battery converter
(elec.
coupler)

Figure 4a: Series hybrid

[1] Figure 4b: Series-Parallel hybrid[1]

Fuel IC Mech.
tank engine coupler

Fuel
on

tank IC
Transmission

engine
Mech.
Transmiss

Power Motor/
coupler
Battery converter Generator
Power
converter Electric
Batt
motor

Power Electric
Series Hybrid System:
In case of series hybrid system (Figure 4a) the mechanical output is first converted
into electricity using a generator. The converted electricity either charges the battery
or can bypass the battery to propel the wheels via the motor and mechanical
transmission. Conceptually, it is an ICE assisted Electric Vehicle (EV). The
advantages of series hybrid drivetrainsare:
 mechanical decoupling between the ICE and driven wheels allows the IC
engine operating at its very narrow optimal region as shown in Figure5.
 nearly ideal torque-speed characteristics of electric motor make
multigeartransmissionunnecessary.
However, a series hybrid drivetrain has the following disadvantages:
 the energy is converted twice (mechanical to electrical and then to
mechanical) and this reduces the overallefficiency.
 Two electric machines are needed and a big traction motor is required because
it is the only torque source of the drivenwheels.
The series hybrid drivetrain is used in heavy commercial vehicles, military vehicles
and buses. The reason is that large vehicles have enough space for the bulky
engine/generator system.

Fueltank
Torque

Tractive

MotorSpeed
effort

Vehicle Speed

Motor Traction Mech.

Engine Generator Rectifier Trans.
controller motor

Engine DC
Operating
DC
Power

region

Battery
EngineSpeed pack
Electrical
coupler
Battery Traction
charger
Battery charge

Figure 5: Detailed Configuration of Series Hybrid Vehicle [1]

 Parallel Hybrid System:
The parallel HEV (Figure 4b) allows both ICE and electric motor (EM) to deliver
power to drive the wheels. Since both the ICE and EM are coupled to the drive shaft
of the wheels via two clutches, the propulsion power may be supplied by ICE alone,
by EM only or by both ICE and EM. The EM can be used as a generator to charge the
battery by regenerative braking or absorbing power from the ICE when its output is
greater than that required to drive the wheels. The advantages of the parallel hybrid
drivetrainare:
 both engine and electric motor directly supply torques to the driven wheels
and no energy form conversion occurs, hence energy loss is less
 compactness due to no need of the generator and smaller traction
motor. The drawbacks of parallel hybrid drivetrainsare:
 mechanical coupling between the engines and the driven wheels, thus the
engine operating points cannot be fixed in a narrow speedregion.
 The mechanical configuration and the control strategy are complex compared
to series hybriddrivetrain.
Due to its compact characteristics, small vehicles use parallel configuration. Most
passenger cars employ this configuration.
Series-Parallel System:
In the series-parallel hybrid (Figure 4c), the configuration incorporates the features of
both the series and parallel HEVs. However, this configuration needs an additional
electric machine and a planetary gear unit making the control complex.
Complex Hybrid System:
The complex hybrid system (Figure 4d) involves a complex configuration which
cannot be classified into the above three kinds. The complex hybrid is similar to the
series-parallel hybrid since the generator and electric motor is both electric machines.
However, the key difference is due to the bi-directional power flow of the electric
motor in complex hybrid and the unidirectional power flow of the generator in the
series-parallel hybrid. The major disadvantage of complex hybrid is higher
complexity.

POWER FLOW CONTROL:

Due to the variations in HEV configurations, different power control strategies are necessary
to regulate the power flow to or from different components. All the control strategies aim
 satisfy the following goals:
 maximum fuelefficiency
 minimumemissions
 minimum systemcosts
 good drivingperformance
The design of power control strategies for HEVs involves different considerations such as:
 Optimal ICE operating point: The optimal operating point on the torque-
speed plane of the ICE can be based on maximization of fuel economy, the
minimization of emissions or a compromise between fuel economy and
emissions.
 Optimal ICE operating line: In case the ICE needs to deliver different power
demands, the corresponding optimal operating points constitute an optimal
operatingline.
 Safe battery voltage: The battery voltage may be significantly altered during
discharging, generator charging or regenerative charging. This battery voltage
should not exceed the maximum voltage limit nor should it fall below the
minimum voltagelimit.

POWER FLOW CONTROL IN SERIES HYBRID:

In the series hybrid system there are four operating modes based on the power flow:
 Mode 1: During startup (Figure 1a), normal driving or acceleration of the
series HEV, both the ICE and battery deliver electric energy to the power
converter which then drives the electric motor and hence the wheels via
transmission.
 Mode 2: At light load (Figure 1b), the ICE output is greater than that
required to drive the wheels. Hence, a fraction of the generated electrical
energy is used to charge the battery. The charging of the batter takes place till
the battery capacity reaches a properlevel.
 Mode 3: During braking or deceleration (Figure 1c), the electric motor acts
as a generator, which converts the kinetic energy of the wheels into electricity
and this, is used to charge thebattery.
Mode 4: The battery can also be charged by the ICE via the generator even when the
vehicle omes to a complete stop (Figure)
 E
F E F

G T
G T

B P M
B P M
Figure 1b: Mode 2, light load
Figure 1a: Mode 1, normal driving or acceleration

F E
F E

G G T
T

B P M
B P M
Figure 1d: Mode 4, vehicle at stop
Figure 1c: Mode 3, braking or deceleration [1]

B:Battery G: Generator Electrical link

E: ICE
M: Motor Hydraulic link
F: Fueltank
P: PowerConverter Mechanical link
T: Transmission (including brakes, clutches and gears)

Power Flow Control in Parallel Hybrid

The parallel hybrid system has four modes of operation. These four modes of operation are
 Mode 1: During start up or full throttle acceleration (Figure 2a); both the ICE
and the EM share the required power to propel the vehicle. Typically, the
relative distribution between the ICE and electric motor is80-20%.
 Mode 2: During normal driving (Figure 2b), the required traction power is
supplied by the ICE only and the EM remains in offmode.
 Mode 3: During braking or deceleration (Figure 2c), the EM acts as a
generator to charge the battery via the powerconverter.
 Mode 4: Under light load condition (Figure 2d), the traction power is
delivered by the ICE and the ICE also charges the battery via theEM.
 E
F E F

T
T

B P M
B P M
B Figure 2b: P
Mode 2, normal driving
B P 2a: Mode 1, start up
Figure

Figure 2d: Mode 4, light load

F E
F E

T
T

M
M
Figure 2c: Mode 3, braking or deceleration [1]

B:Battery Electrical link

G: Generator
E: ICE Hydraulic link
M: Motor
F: Fuel Mechanicallink
P: Power
tank Converter
T: Transmission (including brakes, clutches and gears)

Power Flow Control Series-Parallel Hybrid

The series-parallel hybrid system involves the features of series and parallel hybrid systems.
Hence, a number of operation modes are feasible. Therefore, these hybrid systems are
classified into two categories: the ICE dominated and the EM dominated.
The various operating modes of ICE dominated system are:
 Mode 1: At startup (Figure 3a), the battery solely provides the
necessary power to propel the vehicle and the ICE remains in offmode.
 Mode 2: During full throttle acceleration (Figure 3b), both the ICE and
the EM share the required tractionpower.
 Mode 3: During normal driving (Figure 3c), the required traction power
is provided by the ICE only and the EM remains in the offstate.
 Mode 4: During normal braking or deceleration (Figure 3d), the EM acts as
a generator to charge thebattery.
 Mode 5: To charge the battery during driving (Figure 3e), the ICE delivers
the required traction power and also charges the battery. In this mode the EM
acts as a generator.
 Mode 6: When the vehicle is at standstill (Figure 3f), the ICE can deliver
power to charge the battery via theEM

F E F E

G T G T

B P M
B P M

Figure 3a: Mode 1, startup [1] Figure 3b: Mode 2, acceleration[1]

F
F E E

G T G T

B P M
B P M

Figure 3c: Mode 3, normaldrive[1] Figure 3d: Mode 4, braking or deceleration[1]

F E F E

G T G T

B P M B P M

Figure 3e: Mode 5, battery charging duringdriving[1] Figure 3f: Mode 6, battery charging duringstandstill
[1]
The operating modes of EM dominated system are:
 Mode 1: During startup (Figure 4a), the EM provides the traction power and
the ICE remains in the offstate.
 Mode 2: During full throttle (Figure 4b), both the ICE and EM provide the
tractionpower.
 Mode 3: During normal driving (Figure 4c), both the ICE and EM provide the
tractionpower.
 Mode 4: During braking or deceleration (Figure 4d), the EM acts as a
generator to charge thebattery.
 Mode 5: To charge the battery during driving (Figure 4e), the ICE delivers
the required traction power and also charges the battery. The EM acts as a
generator.
 Mode 6: When the vehicle is at standstill (Figure 4f), the ICE can deliver
power to charge the battery via theEM

F E F E

G T G T

B P M B P M

Figure 4a: Mode 1, start up [1] Figure 4b: Mode 2, acceleration [1]

F E F E

G T G T

B P M
B P M
]
 F E F E

G T G T

B P M B P M

Figure 4e: Mode 5, battery charging during driving [1] Figure 4f: Mode 6, battery charging during standstill [1]

Power Flow Control Complex Hybrid Control

The complex hybrid vehicle configurations are of two types:

 Front hybrid rear electric
 Front electric and rearhybrid
Both the configurations have six modes of operation:
 Mode 1: During startup (Figure 5a), the required traction power is delivered
by the EMs and the engine is in offmode.
 Mode 2: During full throttle acceleration (Figure 5b), both the ICE and the
front wheel EM deliver the power to the front wheel and the second EM
delivers power to the rearwheel.
 Mode 3: During normal driving (Figure 5c), the ICE delivers power to propel
the front wheel and to drive the first EM as a generator to charge thebattery.
 Mode 4: During driving at light load (Figure 5d) first EM delivers the
required traction power to the front wheel. The second EM and the ICE are in
offsate.
 Mode 5: During braking or deceleration (Figure 5e), both the front and rear
wheel EMs act as generators to simultaneously charge thebattery.
  Mode 6: A unique operating mode of complex hybrid system is axial
balancing. In this mode (Figure 5f) if the front wheel slips, the front EM
works as a generator to absorb the change of ICE power. Through the battery,
this power difference is then used to drive the rear wheels to achieve the axle
balancing.

F E FT F E FT
FP FM FP FM

B RP RM RT B RP RM RT
Figure 5a: Mode 1, startup Figure 5b: Mode 2, full throttle acceleration

F E FT F E FT

FP FM FP FM

B RP RM R B RP RM R
Figure 5c: Mode 3, vehicle propel and battery charging Figure 5d: Mode 4, light load

F E FT F E FT

FP FM FP FM
B RP RM R B RP RM RT
Figure 5e: Mode 5, braking or decelration Figure 5f: Mode 1, axil balancing

B:Battery FM:Frontmotor FP: Front power converter FT: Frontaxel

transmission E: ICE F: Fuel tank
RM:Rear motor RP: Rear power converter RT: Rear axle transmission[1]

Electricallink
Hydraulic link
Mechanicallink
In Figures 6a-f all the six modes of operation of front electric and rear hybrid is shown.

F E FT F E FT

RP RM RP RM

B FP FM RT B FP FM RT
Figure 6a: Mode 1, startup Figure 6b: Mode 2, full throttle acceleration

F E FT F E FT

RP RM RP RM

B FP FM RT B FP FM RT
Figure 6c: Mode 3, vehicle propel and battery charging Figure 6d: Mode 4, light load

F E FT F E FT

RP RM RP RM

B FP FM RT B FP FM RT
Figure 6e: Mode 5, brakingordecelration Figure 6f: Mode 1, axilbalancing

B:Battery RM:Rearmotor FP: Front power converter FT: Front

axle transmission E: ICE F: Fueltank
RM:Rear motor RP: Rear power converter RT: Rear axle transmission[1]

Electricallink
Hydrauliclink
Mechanicallink
ELECTRIC DRIVE TRAINS:

Electric Vehicle (EV) Configurations

Compared to HEV, the configuration of EV is flexible. The reasons for this flexibility are:
 The energy flow in EV is mainly via flexible electrical wires rather than
bolted flanges or rigid shafts. Hence, distributed subsystems in the EV are
really achievable.
 The EVs allow different propulsion arrangements such as independent four
wheels and in wheel drives.
In Figure 1 the general configuration of the EV is shown. The EV has three major
subsystems:
 Electric propulsion
 Energy source
 Auxiliary system
The electric propulsion subsystem comprises of:
 The electronic controller
 Power converter
 Electric Motor(EM)
 Mechanical transmission
 Driving wheels

The energy source subsystem consists of

 The energy source (battery, fuel cell, ultracapacitor)
 Energy management unit
 Energy refueling unit
The auxiliary subsystem consists of
 Power steering unit
 Temperature control unit
 Auxiliary power supply
 In Figure 1 the black line represents the mechanical link, the green line represents the
electrical link and the blue line represents the control information communication.
Based on the control inputs from the brake and accelerator pedals, the electronic
controller provides proper control signals to switch on or off the power converter
which in turn regulates the power flow between the electric motor and the energy
source. The backward power flow is due to regenerative braking of the EV and this
regenerative energy can be stored provided the energy source is receptive.
The energy management unit cooperates with the electronic controller to control
regenerative braking and its energy recovery. It also works with the energy-refueling
unit to control refueling and to monitor usability of the energy source.
The auxiliary power supply provides the necessary power with different voltage
levels for all EV auxiliaries, especially the temperature control and power steering
units.

Electricpropulsionsubsystem

Wheel

Electronic Power Electric Mechanical

controller converter motor transmission
Brake

Wheel

Accelerator

Energy Auxiliary Power

management Energy Power steering
unit source Supply unit
Steering
wheel

Energy Temperature
refueling control
unit unit

Energy source
subsystem
Auxiliary subsystem

Figure 1:General Configuration of a Electric Vehicle [1]

In modern EV’s configuration:
 Three phase motors are generally used to provide the tractionforce
 The power converter is a three-phase PWMinverter
 Mechanical transmission is based on fixed gearing and adifferential
 Li-ion battery is typically selected as the energy
source The typical setup of the EV is shown in Figure2.

Electricpropulsionsubsystem Wheel

Brake 3-phase
Electronic 3-phase Mechanical
PWM
controller AC motor transmission
inverter

Accelerator
Wheel

Energy Auxiliary Power

management Battery Pack Power steering
unit Supply unit
Steering
wheel

Energy Temperature
refueling control
unit unit
Energysource
subsystem
Auxiliarysubsystem

Figure 2:Typical Configuration of a Electric Vehicle [1]

Electric Vehicle (EV) Drivetrain Alternatives Based on Drivetrain Configuration
There are many possible EV configurations due the variations in electric propulsion
and energy sources. Based on these variations, six alternatives are possible as shown
in Figure 3. These six alternativesare
 In Figure 3a a single EM configuration with gearbox (GB) and a clutch is
shown. It consists of an EM, a clutch (C), a gearbox, and a differential (D).
The clutch enables the connection or disconnection of power flow from EM to
the wheels. The gear consists of a set of gears with different gear ratios. With
the use of clutch and gearbox, the driver can shift the gear ratios and hence the
torque going to the wheels can be changed. The wheels have high torque low
speed in the lower gears and high-speed low torque in the highergears.
  In Figure 3b a single EM configuration without the gearbox and the clutch is
shown. The advantage of this configuration is that the weight of the
transmission is reduced. However, this configuration demands a more
complex control of the EM to provide the necessary torque to thewheels.
 Figure 3c shows a configuration of EV using one EM. It is a transverse front
EM front wheel drive configuration. It has a fixed gearing and differential and
they are integrated into a singleassembly.
 In Figure 3d a dual motor configuration is shown. In this configuration the
differential action of an EV when cornering can be electronically provided by
two electricmotors.
 In order to shorten the mechanical transmission path from the EM to the
driving wheel, the EM can be placed inside a wheel. This configuration is
called in-wheel drive. Figure 3e shows this configuration in which fixed
planetary gearing is employed to reduce the motor speed to the desired wheel
speed.
 In Figure 3f an EV configuration without any mechanical gearing is shown.
By fully abandoning any mechanical gearing, the in-wheel drive can be
realized by installing a low speed outer-rotor electric motor inside awheel.

C
M GB D M FG D

Figure 3a: EV configuration with clutch, gearbox d Figure 3b: EV configuration without clutch and gearbo
an
[1]
x differential [1]

M MFG

FG
D M
FG
 FG
M

M
FG
Figure 3e:EV configuration with in Figure 3f:EV configuration with in
wheel motor and wheel motor and no
mechanical gear [1] mechanical gear [1]

Electric Vehicle (EV) Drivetrain Alternatives Based on Power Source Configuration

Besides the variations in electric propulsion, there are other EV configurations due to
variations in energy sources. There are five configurations possible and they are:
 Configuration 1: It is a simple battery powered configuration, Figure 4a. The
battery may be distributed around the vehicle, packed together at the vehicle
back or located beneath the vehicle chassis. The battery in this case should
have reasonable specific energy and specific power and should be able to
accept regenerative energy during braking. In case of EVs, the battery should
have both high specific energy and specific power because high specific
power governs the driving range while the high power density governs the
acceleration rate and hill climbingcapability.
 Configuration 2: Instead of two batteries, this design uses two different
batteries, Figure 4b. One battery is optimized for high specific energy and the
other for high specificpower.
 Configuration 3: In this arrangement fuel cell is used, Figure 4c. The battery
is an energy storage device, whereas the fuel cell is an energy generation
device. The operation principle of fuel cells is a reverse process of electrolysis.
In reverse and electrolysis, hydrogen and oxygen gases combine to form
electricity and water. The hydrogen gas used by the fuel cell can be stored in
an on-board tank whereas oxygen gas is extracted from air. Since fuel cell can
offer high specific energy but cannot accept regenerative energy, it is
preferable to combine it with battery with high specific power and high-energy
receptivity.
 Configuration 4: Rather than storing it as a compressed gas, a liquid or a
metal hydride, hydrogen can be can be generated on-board using liquid fuels
such as methanol, Figure 4d. In this case a mini reformer is installed in the
EV to produce necessary hydrogen gas for the fuelcell.
 Configuration 5: In fuel cell and battery combination, the battery is selected
to provide high specific power and high-energy receptivity. In this
configuration a battery and supercapacitor combination is used as an energy
source, Figure 4e. The battery used in this configuration is a high energy
density device whereas the supercapacitor provides high specific power and
energy receptivity. Usually, the supercapacitors are of relatively low voltage
levels, an additional dc-dc power converter is needed to interface between the
battery and capacitorterminals.
 Single and Multi-motor Drives
A differential is a standard component for conventional vehicles. When a vehicle is
rounding a curved road, the outer wheel needs to travel on a larger radius than the
inner wheel. Thus, the differential adjusts the relative speeds of the wheels. If relative
speeds of the wheels are not adjusted, then the wheels will slip and result in tire wear,
steering difficulties and poor road holding. In case of EVs, it is possible to dispense
the mechanical differential by using two or even four EMs. With the use of multiple
EMs, each wheel can be coupled to an EM and this will enable independent control of
speed of each wheel in such a way that the differential action can be electronically
achieved. In Figure 5, a typical dual motor drive with an electronic differential is
shown.

Wheel Whee
ωout l
ωin
ωout > ωin

EM 2
EM 1 with fixed
with fixed gearing
gearing

Figure 5: Differential action [1]

In Wheel Drives
By placing an electric motor inside the wheel, the in wheel motor has the advantage
that the mechanical transmission path between the electric motor and the wheel can be
minimized. Two possible configurations for in wheel drives are:
 When a high-speed inner-rotor motor is used (Figure 6a) then a fixed speed-
reduction gear becomes necessary to attain a realistic wheel speed. In general,
speed reduction is achieved using a planetary gear set. This planetary gear is
mounted between the motor shaft and the wheel rim. Usually this motor is
designed to operate up to 1000 rpm so as to give high powerdensity.
 In case outer rotor motor is used (Figure 6b), then the transmission can be
totally removed and the outer rotor acts as the wheel rim and the motor speed
is equivalent to the wheel speed and no gears arerequired.
The tradeoffs of the high-speed inner rotor motor are:
 It has the advantage of smaller size, lighter weight and lowercost
 Needs additional planetary gearset
The tradeoffs of outer-rotor motorare
 Low speed and hence does not need additional gears
 The drawbacks are larger size, weight and cost because of the low speed
design.
Considerations of EMs used in EVs
The requirements of EMs used in EVs are:
 Frequent start/stop
 High rate of acceleration and deceleration
 High torque low speed hill climbing
 Low torque cruising
 Very wide speed range of operation
The EMs for EVs are unique and their major differences with
respect to industrial motors in load requirement, performance
specification and operating environment are as follows:
 EV motors need to produce the maximum torque that
is four to five times of the rated torque for
acceleration and hill climbing, while industrial motors
generally offer the maximum torque that is twice of
the rated torque for overload operation
 EV motors need to achieve four to five times the base
speed for highway cruising, while industrial motors
generally achieve up to twice the base speed for
constant power operation
 EV motors require high power density as well as
good efficiency map (high efficiency over wide speed
and torque ranges), while industrial motors are
generally optimized to give high efficiency at a rated
point.
 EV motors need to be installed in mobile vehicles
with harsh operating conditions such as high
temperature, bad weather and frequent vibration,
while industrial motors are generally located in fixed
places.