Computer simulation of a series and parallel hybrid electric vehicle

Abstract

Although the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle is the most popular vehicle type in the world it has serious problems relating to its exhaust emissions and the limitation of petroleum resource. To try to solve these problems many kinds of vehicle have been developed which use alternative energies; electricity, compressed natural gas and solar energy etc. The hybrid vehicle, which combines the advantages of the ICE vehicle and the electric vehicle, is one of the most promising alternative vehicle structures. This thesis describes the modelling and simulation of a Series and a Parallel Hybrid Vehicle using SIMULINK, the graphical user interface for MATLAB. The ICE vehicle and electric vehicle are also modelled and simulated to prove the accuracy of the simulation and to provide a base to compare the results of the hybrid vehicle simulation. This thesis also describes how to optimize the electric motor and IC engine size used in the series and parallel hybrid vehicle and how to minimize the fuel usage and the emissions of the IC engine.