Nonlinear Model Predictive Control of a Power-Split Hybrid Electric Vehicle: Influence of Inclusion of Powertrain Dynamics

This paper builds on our previous published works in which we had employed nonlinear model predictive control for the (sub)optimal power management of a power-split hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). In addition to the battery’s state of charge, in this work we include the effect of inertial powertrain dynamics in the control-oriented model that are usually ignored because of their fast dynamics. We show how inclusion of the new state removes the need for a separate rule-based strategy for engine start/stop and can result in considerable improvement in the fuel economy as shown by closed-loop simulations over a high-fidelity power-split HEV model.