Abstract
Research and/or Engineering Questions/Objective: The paper describes the key factors that are influence on the process of worldwide electric vehicles market development. In 2012 the total amount of vehicles is about 800 million. Analysts say that it will increase up to 1,6 billion until 2030. That is why the problem of environmental pollution is one of the key problems for each country all over the world. In accordance with statistics, CO2 emissions from vehicles accounts for 26% of total emissions. The part of automobile transport emissions (cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles) accounts for 73,5% of CO2 emissions from vehicles. As a result, different governmental ecological programs are implementing in different countries of the world that are aimed on developing of environment friendly vehicles (including electric LCVs).
Methodology: The paper presents the description of main technical characteristics of electric LCVs that are serial produced in various countries. The analysis of characteristics is made in comparison with electric LCV that was designed and developed in Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University (NNSTU). The theoretical calculations of electric LCVs dynamic and performance are made. The results of simulation of movement in accordance with ECE 83 Regulation’s requirements are presented. The projection of travel range without charging is made. There is the description of experimental tests results that were received during the road bench tests of prototypes of NNSTU electric LCV.
Results: There are results of theoretical and experimental researches of operational characteristics of different electric LCVs including the NNSTU prototype. It was found that NNSTU electric LCV has characteristics that are close to serial LCV analogs with petrol engines and competitive with foreign electric LCVs.
Limitations of this study: The paper describes the experimental and theoretical researches that were implemented for normal temperature conditions (approximately +20°C).
What does the paper offer that is new in the field including in comparison to other work by the authors: During the R&D works the authors of the paper received two patent rights in Russia on useful models №110036 from 24.05.11 and №125935 from 20.03.2013. During the theoretical research and simulation of movement in accordance with ECE 83 Regulation’s requirements the coefficient of efficiency of electric motor was taken in dependence on two factors: rotational rate and electric motor’s shaft load.
Conclusions: The prototype of LCV was designed and developed in NNSTU. The research of indexes of operational characteristics of electric LCV was made on basis of theoretical and experimental researches. NNSTU electric LCV is competitive with analogs. Russian patents confirm the originality of proposed technical solutions.
KEYWORDS Electric vehicle, ecological safety, power efficiency