Making the Case for Electrified Transportation

In order to achieve lower fuel consumption and less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, we need higher efficiency vehicles with improved performance. Electrification is the most promising solution to enable a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system. Electrified transportation vision includes utilizing more electrical energy to power traction and nontraction loads in the vehicle. In electrified powertrain applications, the efficiency of the electrical path, and the power and energy density of the components play important roles to improve the electric range of the vehicle to run the engine close to its peak efficiency point and to maintain lower energy consumption with less emissions. In general, the electrified powertrain architecture, design and control of the powertrain components, and software development are coupled to facilitate an efficient, high-performance, and reliable powertrain. In this paper, enabling technologies and solutions for the electrified transportation are discussed in terms of power electronics, electric machines, electrified powertrain architectures, energy storage systems (ESSs), and controls and software.

I. Introduction

Today, mobility is one of the most important parameters to achieve economic growth and high standards of living. To enhance mobility, we need a reliable, inexpensive, clean, and, most importantly, sustainable transportation system. However, due to high dependence on fossil fuels as the main source of energy, our transportation system is not sustainable. Contributing to nearly one-third of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, our transportation system is not environmentally friendly either.