Design guidelines for series-hybrid powertrains

This article presents a method of designing the powertrain for a plug-in series-hybrid vehicle, based on real measurements (regarding the torque and power requirements) performed on a compact passenger car, during real driving conditions, as well as mathematical calculations. The parameters of the series-hybrid driving system which were determined are: the nominal and maximum torque / power / rotational speed of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) which is used to drive a generator, the rated output power of the electric generator, the required nominal and maximum power/torque/rotational speed of the traction electric motor which is used to drive the wheels, the capacity of the high voltage battery pack (which supplies the electric motor), its size, weight etc., taking into consideration vehicle’s overall performance and characteristics, including its mass.