Driving range evaluation of a multi-phase drive for low voltage high power electric vehicles

This paper introduces an alternative to present state-of-the-art electric traction drives powered by HV batteries: a maximum of 330 kW can be deployed mechanically by a LV multi-phase system. Both the ability to switch the electric machine's number of pole pairs and a very efficient 60-phase inverter based on MOSFETs promise a dramatic reduction of losses inside the power train. Investigations on driving cycle efficiencies are carried out for a HV reference system and the novel LV system. The New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) and the driving cycle of the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedures (WLTC) are virtually driven by a common vehicle model in order to determine load profiles for both traction systems. Losses in electric machine, power electronics and battery are estimated and the total vehicle's energy consumption is derived. The novel LV traction system promises a great enhancement in driving range compared to the state-of-the-art HV drive.