UTS-China collaboration to advance electric vehicle design
UTS engineering researchers have been backed by Chinese manufacturer Beijing Electric Vehicle Co to help deliver a pure electric vehicle aimed at setting a new standard in driving performance.
A team led by Professor Nong Zhang has been awarded funding through China's Ministry of Science and Technology to develop a demonstration dual clutch transmission system for electric vehicles.
The development of a dual clutch transmission power-train will be supported by a software energy management system developed in collaboration with a UTS team led by Professor Joe Zhu. The combined system will be prototyped and tested in a passenger car made by Beijing Electric Vehicle Co.
In industry terms the future of electric vehicles lies in a car that is energy efficient, light weight and low cost. A major challenge for electric vehicle design is in matching the range and utility that is expected from current combustion engine cars in today's market.
Professor Zhang said a dual clutch transmission was viewed as a solution to providing the functionality of a combustion engine driven car in terms of performance with the efficiency of an electric vehicle providing a range that meets most consumers' needs.
"In combination with an energy management strategy system it will enable a fully electric vehicle to be market competitive with hybrid electric vehicles with a significant reduction in engine cost and weight," Professor Zhang said.
"In energy terms the weight reduction will significantly decrease electrical power drain thereby increasing the driving range of the vehicle and the ability of an electrical based motor to perform the majority of driving tasks.
"The need for a combustion engine is removed and the pure electric vehicle meets the needs of most drivers."
Professor Zhu said one of the main advantages UTS had in addressing these issues was the long-term in-house collaboration that had enabled mechanical and electrical engineers to work closely together.
"Modern innovative solutions rely heavily on the successful integration of different fields of design and such cross-field capability has been a significant factor in our research achievements to date," Professor Zhu said.
"Currently the Chinese government is investing heavily in ways to reduce the environmental damage and public health problems associated with the country's heavily populated cities. UTS research is especially well suited to the current situation in China and the opportunity to collaborate with government and industry on this project has been most welcome."
Provided by University of Technology, Sydney
