Simulation-based power strategy optimization in a diesel hybrid vehicle

Abstract

This study includes comparing fuel-energy consumption, consumption cost, and vehicle dynamic performance of a diesel hybrid electric vehicle created by combining virtual diesel and electric vehicle models in MATLAB/Simulink and correlated with real-world driving data. In the diesel hybrid vehicle model, electric power initiates the acceleration until the hybrid mode transition threshold speed, and after, the diesel traction system maintains the motion. The hybrid mode transition threshold speeds were determined as 10 km/h, 15 km/h, 20 km/h, and 25 km/h. The virtual tests were repeated according to different vehicle masses as 3500 kg, 4000 kg, 4500 kg, and 5000 kg. As a result, this study achieved the best dynamic performance and the lowest total energy consumption with the hybrid mode transition threshold of 10 km/h. Also, diesel hybrid combinations mostly showed better dynamic performance than pure diesel and battery electric vehicles.