Comprehensive simulations and comparative analysis of the electric propulsion motor for a solar/battery electric auto rickshaw three-wheeler

Auto rickshaws are three-wheeled vehicles commonly used as taxis of people and goods in many Asian countries. In the design of a new solar/battery electric auto rickshaw, the most critical components (i.e. the motor and motor controller) of the drive train must be vigorously studied. The results of such a comprehensive study are needed to balance the design trade-offs in order to achieve an optimally sized and controlled system. This paper focuses specifically on the electric propulsion motor. The size and speed capabilities of the motor are varied in the advanced vehicle simulator, ADVISOR, and the results in terms of efficiency, vehicle gradeability and acceleration abilities of the vehicle are presented and analyzed.

I. Introduction

The auto rickshaw is used extensively in India and other Asian countries as a taxi, but the vehicle design is crude and inefficient, and has not been updated much since it was first introduced. This poses a worsening pollution problem to India as the country sees a rapidly growing urban population and an even more rapidly growing vehicle population [1]–[3]. These facts coupled with increased traffic are making electric vehicles, and especially electric auto rickshaw taxis, an even more viable solution. The barrier to these advanced vehicles is the range. In the design of the new solar/battery electric auto rickshaw, extended range is a priority because the new design must be compatible with the old in terms of how it is used.