Development of Commercial Electric Vehicles Platforms Adapted for the Use of Self-Driving Systems

Abstract

One way to improve commercial vehicle safety and environmental protection is the application of modern technology, using electricity as a main power source. Electric vehicles have undeniable environmental advantages over cars with internal combustion engines. Scientific team of the NNSTU, with the support of engineers from the Joint GAZ Group Engineering Center and specialists from PJSC “GAZ”, is developing a line-up of electrical platforms for commercial vehicles with autonomous power sources. The article presents an analytical review of existing prototypes of electrical platforms. The authors performed an assessment of the possibilities of usage an auxiliary power plant based on fuel cells (including the membrane type) as part of the electrical platforms. In addition, the work touches upon the problem of using traditional energy sources for electric platforms - traction batteries, because the consumer appeal of electrical platforms largely depends on the batteries. The authors propose the configuration of the chassis for the platforms. The configuration provides wide opportunities for the integration of automated and unmanned traffic control systems in commercial vehicles. The article presents a prototype of the electric platform, equipped with the developed systems of automated traffic control. In conclusion, the results of experimental studies, based on the running tests, are given.