Architectural Proposals for Electric Vehicle Design

Due to global warming and depletion of fossil fuels, alternative sustainable fuel technology is essential. As a consequence of this need, many automotive original equipment manufacturers have started manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) as sustainable, zero-emission solution. This paper evaluates different architectures for EV design to establish a preferred architecture. A detailed literature study is outlined to evaluate production and concept proposals of many original equipment manufacturers, student projects, and autonomous electric cars. The different architectural aspects of these designs, such as mechanical and electrical technologies, are discussed. Starting with initial schematics, a theoretical model is developed for each of the EV drive train architectures. The study uses advanced modeling techniques to compare these architectures. Different drive train architectures are compared in the contexts of functionality, operation, manufacturability, and modularity. The preferred architecture was developed using advanced tools such as virtual modeling to establish operational sequences for the components that make up an EV. In addition, product data management software was used as management tool to document changes during the architecture’s development. Recommendations and discussions on a selection of vehicle architectures are detailed along with those for a preferred architecture.