Optimisation and Efficiency Improvement of Electric Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling
Due to the rise in awareness of global warming, many attempts to increase efficiency in the automotive industry are becoming prevalent. Design optimization can be used to increase the efficiency of electric vehicles by reducing aerodynamic drag and lift. The main focus of this paper is to analyse an...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/24/11/1584 |
| _version_ | 1797468342520381440 |
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| author | Darryl Afianto Yu Han Peiliang Yan Yan Yang Anas F. A. Elbarghthi Chuang Wen |
| author_facet | Darryl Afianto Yu Han Peiliang Yan Yan Yang Anas F. A. Elbarghthi Chuang Wen |
| author_sort | Darryl Afianto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Due to the rise in awareness of global warming, many attempts to increase efficiency in the automotive industry are becoming prevalent. Design optimization can be used to increase the efficiency of electric vehicles by reducing aerodynamic drag and lift. The main focus of this paper is to analyse and optimise the aerodynamic characteristics of an electric vehicle to improve efficiency of using computational fluid dynamics modelling. Multiple part modifications were used to improve the drag and lift of the electric hatchback, testing various designs and dimensions. The numerical model of the study was validated using previous experimental results obtained from the literature. Simulation results are analysed in detail, including velocity magnitude, drag coefficient, drag force and lift coefficient. The modifications achieved in this research succeeded in reducing drag and were validated through some appropriate sources. The final model has been assembled with all modifications and is represented in this research. The results show that the base model attained an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.464, while the final design achieved a reasonably better overall performance by recording a 10% reduction in the drag coefficient. Moreover, within individual comparison with the final model, the second model with front spitter had an insignificant improvement, limited to 1.17%, compared with 11.18% when the rear diffuser was involved separately. In addition, the lift coefficient was significantly reduced to 73%, providing better stabilities and accounting for the safety measurements, especially at high velocity. The prediction of the airflow improvement was visualised, including the pathline contours consistent with the solutions. These research results provide a considerable transformation in the transportation field and help reduce fuel expenses and global emissions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:05:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0f867dbf9af241f6968467cc7158db1f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:05:06Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Entropy |
| spelling | doaj.art-0f867dbf9af241f6968467cc7158db1f2023-11-24T04:36:38ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002022-11-012411158410.3390/e24111584Optimisation and Efficiency Improvement of Electric Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics ModellingDarryl Afianto0Yu Han1Peiliang Yan2Yan Yang3Anas F. A. Elbarghthi4Chuang Wen5Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UKSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Suqian University, Suqian 223800, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100190, ChinaSchool of Petroleum Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, ChinaFaculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UKFaculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UKDue to the rise in awareness of global warming, many attempts to increase efficiency in the automotive industry are becoming prevalent. Design optimization can be used to increase the efficiency of electric vehicles by reducing aerodynamic drag and lift. The main focus of this paper is to analyse and optimise the aerodynamic characteristics of an electric vehicle to improve efficiency of using computational fluid dynamics modelling. Multiple part modifications were used to improve the drag and lift of the electric hatchback, testing various designs and dimensions. The numerical model of the study was validated using previous experimental results obtained from the literature. Simulation results are analysed in detail, including velocity magnitude, drag coefficient, drag force and lift coefficient. The modifications achieved in this research succeeded in reducing drag and were validated through some appropriate sources. The final model has been assembled with all modifications and is represented in this research. The results show that the base model attained an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.464, while the final design achieved a reasonably better overall performance by recording a 10% reduction in the drag coefficient. Moreover, within individual comparison with the final model, the second model with front spitter had an insignificant improvement, limited to 1.17%, compared with 11.18% when the rear diffuser was involved separately. In addition, the lift coefficient was significantly reduced to 73%, providing better stabilities and accounting for the safety measurements, especially at high velocity. The prediction of the airflow improvement was visualised, including the pathline contours consistent with the solutions. These research results provide a considerable transformation in the transportation field and help reduce fuel expenses and global emissions.https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/24/11/1584electric vehicleelectric hatchbackfuel efficiencydesignoptimizationaerodynamics |
| spellingShingle | Darryl Afianto Yu Han Peiliang Yan Yan Yang Anas F. A. Elbarghthi Chuang Wen Optimisation and Efficiency Improvement of Electric Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling Entropy electric vehicle electric hatchback fuel efficiency design optimization aerodynamics |
| title | Optimisation and Efficiency Improvement of Electric Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling |
| title_full | Optimisation and Efficiency Improvement of Electric Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling |
| title_fullStr | Optimisation and Efficiency Improvement of Electric Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimisation and Efficiency Improvement of Electric Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling |
| title_short | Optimisation and Efficiency Improvement of Electric Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling |
| title_sort | optimisation and efficiency improvement of electric vehicles using computational fluid dynamics modelling |
| topic | electric vehicle electric hatchback fuel efficiency design optimization aerodynamics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/24/11/1584 |
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