A simulation-based assessment of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle architectures

Abstract

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are vehicles that utilize power from both an internal combustion engine and an electric battery that can be recharged from the grid. Simulations of series, parallel, and split-architecture PHEVs, as well as parallel and split PHEVs with ultracapacitors, were performed in Autonomie, the vehicle simulation package released by Argonne National Laboratory as the successor to the Powertrain System Analysis Toolkit (PSAT). The PHEV configurations were parameterized by battery capacity, motor peak power, engine peak power, and ultracapacitor capacity if applicable. Results were compared to EPA data for the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius, showing close agreement on values for fuel consumption, charge-depleting range, and acceleration time. While most PHEVs today are of the series or split variety, analysis of the simulation results indicates that including features from a parallel architecture could improve performance without undue additional cost from components. In addition, ultracapacitors were found to have a significant positive effect on all-electric fuel consumption. Furthermore, pricing models were created to predict approximate MSRP and 5-year cost-to-own for future PHEVs. These models were incorporated into a graphical user interface built using MATLAB that allows access to the simulation results in a way that is accessible to the average consumer.