Abstract
A range extender is an auxiliary power unit, usually consisting of an internal combustion engine and an electric generator, which is used to charge a battery of an electric vehicle in order to increase its range. This paper considers a range extender supplied with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The aim is to provide detailed data on thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and unit emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a broad spectrum of range extender operating conditions defined by rotational speed and torque. The experimental investigation has been conducted using a laboratory test stand equipped with an energy dissipation system of adjustable resistance. Measurement results, including fuel flow rate, were processed using custom algorithm for generating maps, i.e., two-dimensional dependencies of the considered parameters on the rotational speed and torque. The maps obtained for LPG supply were compared with those for gasoline supply. The results demonstrated feasibility of LPG-supplied range extender. Its BSFC and thermal efficiency were at a comparable level to those obtained for gasoline supply, but with less CO2 emission. The empirical data collected has been adopted in the simulation of extended-range electric vehicle in a driving cycle, showing the potential of utilizing the results of this study.
Highlights
The number of electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide is growing rapidly and their future development prospects are excellent [1]
This paper presents and discusses brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), thermal efficiency, and CO2 emission maps developed from testing of a range extender supplied with liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and gasoline
The empirical data collected has been adopted in the simulation of extended range electric vehicles (EREVs) performance in a driving cycle, demonstrating the benefits of the proposed approach
Summary
The number of electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide is growing rapidly and their future development prospects are excellent [1]. The most effective solution that towns and cities can take to counteract this issue is the introduction of clean air (zero/low emission) zones. This promotes the use of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) that do not produce exhaust emissions, unlike conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) [4]. Other advantages of BEVs, including high efficiency of the powertrain and recuperative braking [5] or good prospects for the introduction of automatic steering systems [6,7], make them become competitive, especially for intraurban, short-distance applications such as commercial fleets or commuter vehicles [8]. BEVs are unlikely to substitute for ICE-based vehicles in long-distance applications unless a major breakthrough in battery technology is achieved. Due to high cost and limited capacity of currently used batteries, to store energy to provide satisfactory driving range for BEVs is not always possible [1]
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