Energy-optimal velocity profiles for electric city buses

Abstract

This paper introduces a method for defining energy-optimal velocity profiles for electric city buses. The method is founded on the use of dynamic programming and vehicle simulation. Typical driving patterns of cit y buses are used for defining the energy-optimal velocity profiles. Based on the characteristics and limitations of the driving patterns, the energy-optimal velocity profiles are calculated with the aid of dynamic programming simulation by minimizing the energy consumption. In this first part of the research, models of electric and conventional diesel city buses are used. Later, also parallel and series hybrid city buses are taken into consideration. The simulation results show that the energy-optimal driving could improve the energy efficiency on average around 17% for electric city buses and about 19% for diesel city buses in the Braunschweig driving cycle.