Performance Prediction for an Electric Vehicle

This article focusses on the modelling of an electric vehicle (EV) as well as the development of an algorithm that suggests optimal driving speeds to the user, knowing the power available from the batteries. This is done to ensure that the destination is reached in the shortest possible time and to help ease the range anxiety of the driver. The platform for the modelling and algorithm development is Python. Factors such as road angle, distance and speed will serve as parameters for the modelled EV. The model is able to return the power, torque and energy requirements to complete a specific route within a specific time. Knowing the energy requirements, the algorithm that suggests optimal driving speeds was developed. Investigations was done to determine the influence of different factors, such as tyre pressure and air temperature, on the power and energy requirements. A 2016 Nissan Leaf was modelled in this article.