Effect of electric vehicle mass change on energy consumption and the range

D. Berjoza¹, I. Jurgena² and R. Millers¹*

¹Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, Institute of Engineering and Energetics, 5 J. Cakstes blvd. LV–3001, Jelgava, Latvia
²Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Business and Management Science, Svetes Street 18, LV–3001, Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: dainis.berjoza@lbtu.lv; inara.jurgena@lbtu.lv

Abstract:

The use of industrially produced electric cars has increased significantly in the last 13 years. The year 2010 can be considered the initial stage of mass production of electric cars when the manufacture of the Mitchubishi I–MiEV and the Nissan LEAF was started. For modern electric cars, the battery mass can reach up to 770 kg. If the electric car is intended for long distances, the large mass and capacity of the battery is justified because it is put to good use. If the electric car is mainly used in urban driving mode, an increase in the mass of a heavy battery can reduce the range or energy consumption per km. To identify the effect of change in the mass of an electric car on the amount of electricity consumed, experimental studies were carried out with a converted electric car Renault Clio. A 10 kWh battery with a mass of 125 kg was used for the electric car. A road experiment was conducted in Jelgava city on a route that included streets of different traffic intensity with two different loads for the electric car. With an additional load for the electric car, the mass increase was simulated as if the mass of the battery was doubled. The road experiment showed that on the same city route, an increase in the mass of the electric car increased energy consumption by 5.8%, which in turn increased operating costs.

Key words:

current, electric car, energy consumption, speed, voltage

Investigation into the performance characteristics of electric automobiles by means of a data logger

D. Berjoza¹*, V. Pīrs¹ and I. Jurgena²*

¹Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Technical Faculty, Institute of Motor Vehicles, 5 J. Cakstes boulevard, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
²University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Business and Management Science, 18 Svetes street LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: dainis.berjoza@llu.lv; inara.jurgena@llu.lv

Abstract:

Fossil fuel deposits are constrained in the world. Various alternative energy sources are introduced in vehicles to limit the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and to reduce environmental pollution. One of the alternative energy sources is electricity. The use of electric automobiles has begun in the Baltic States too, yet accurate performance parameters of the automobiles, which could sometimes differ from the technical characteristics specified, are not always known. Road testing an electric automobile was performed using a data logger that recorded the battery’s voltage, current, temperature and the automobile’s speed. These parameters allowed computing changes in the electric automobile’s power output under various driving regimes, e.g. acceleration or braking. Road testing the electric automobile was done under two driving regimes – urban and non-urban – on a certain route. The experiment represented a full cycle road test, with the batteries fully charged, that lasted until the batteries were discharged to a minimum level, which was limited by the battery management system (BMS). The experiment identified the maximum current as well as the effectiveness of the regenerative braking system.

Key words: