Simscape Modelling and Analysis of Solar-Assisted Electric Traction System

In an effort to solve the world’s growing environmental issues, such as greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), ozone layer depletion, global warming, and various pollutions, the automobile industry invests a lot of time and resources in the research and development of solar-electric vehicles (SEVs). Globally, renewable solar energy sources are the best substitute for the depletion of traditional sources. It is thought that installing or integrating PV technology with electric vehicles, such as three-wheeled motorized rickshaws, is a step in the right direction toward a sustainable environment such as improved driving ranges, zero tailpipe emissions, and the removal of petroleum products. As the vehicle movement pattern is not regular when compared to the current Indian driving cycle (IDC), the solar e-rickshaw is directly dependent on the controller of the propulsion system. Simscape’s physical model of a solar e-propulsion rickshaw’s system is used in the current work to control the motor’s performance in accordance with IDC. On the basis of the longitudinal vehicle dynamic (LVD) model from our earlier work, the torque and power requirements of the propulsions system for solar e-rickshaw are assessed in accordance with IDC Waseem et al. SN Appl Sci 1:225, 2019a. Analytical LVD modelling is used to analyse the propulsion system data for solar e-rickshaws. In order to confirm the BLDC motor’s performance under various speed situations in accordance with IDC, evaluated data are entered into the physical Simscape model. The anticipated rms values for speed, torque, and power are 1024.436 rpm, 84.282 N-m, and 88.6136 kW, respectively, according to the LVD model. However, the corresponding values for the Simscape model are 1024.787 rpm, 84.308 N-m, and 88.555 kW, respectively. To measure the discrepancy between desired and measured speed, power, and torque as per IDC, simulations of the controller and the Simscape physical model were run. Compared simulated results from the literature studies in order to further validate the findings.