Cost Optimization of a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Abstract

In order to decrease the use of petroleum and release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, the efficiency of transportation vehicles must be increased. One way to increase vehicle efficiency is by extending the electric-only operation of hybrid electric vehicles through the addition of batteries that can be charged using grid electricity. These plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are currently being developed for introduction into the U.S. market. As with any consumer good, cost is an important design metric. This study optimizes a PHEV design for a mid-size, gasoline-powered passenger vehicle in terms of cost. Three types of batteries, Pb-acid, NiMH, and Li-ion, and three all-electric ranges of 10, 20, and 40 miles (16.1, 32.2, and 64.4 km) were examined. System modeling was performed using Powertrain Systems Analysis Toolkit (PSAT), an Argonne National Laboratory-developed tool. Performance constraints such as acceleration, sustained grade ability, and top speed were met by all systems. The societal impact of the least cost optimum system was quantified in terms of reduced carbon emissions and gasoline consumption. All of the cost optimal designs (one for each combination of all-electric distance and battery type) demonstrated more than a 60% reduction in gasoline consumption and 45% reduction in CO2 emissions, including the emissions generated from producing the electricity used to charge the battery pack, as compared with an average car in the current U.S. fleet. The least cost design for each all-electric range consisted of a Pb-acid design, including a necessary battery replacement of the battery pack twice during the 15 year assumed life. Due to the cost of the battery packs, the 10-mile all-electric range proved to be the least costly. Also, this system saved the most carbon dioxide emissions, a 53% reduction. The most fuel savings came from the PHEV40 system, yielding an 80% reduction in gasoline consumption.

Development of a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle educational demonstration unit

“…The battery pack can be charged by plugging the vehicle into the grid and by using engine power. A PHEV allows for all electric operation for limited distances, while having the operation and range of a regular HEV on longer trips [4]. Compared with a regular HEV, if the all-electric range is 30 km -100 km, a PHEV offers a 25% -55% reduction in NOx, 35% -65% reduction in greenhouse gases and 40% -80% reduction in gasoline consumption [5].…”