The thermal management of electrified vehicles

CESA abstract

When running on pure electric mode, electrified vehicles offer a very efficient energy conversion. Less than 3 kW in average is needed to drive an EV over an urban cruise. Consequently, the management of additional power demands of thermal functions, e.g. the cooling or the heating of the vehicle passenger cabin, or that of battery and power electronics, has a major impact on the overall vehicle power balance. A new system approach for thermal management, combining an innovative architecture, dedicated technologies and relevant control strategy, becomes decisive to offer a significant cruising range, secure the battery life time and also ensure quick engine response.
Within the scope of Vega/Thop, a cooperative project including six partners (Valeo, Renault, Saint Gobain Sekurit, Hutchinson, INSA/Cethil, LINC) funded by Ademe, a new thermal architecture was designed, prototyped and tested on benches and lab cars in order to assess the potential of such innovative thermal concept.

This paper outlines the main challenges and the outputs of this project:
- the review of thermal needs, with a focus on the passenger cabin requirements for comfort, and their associated impact on vehicle performances at system level;
- the way to drastically reduce the cabin thermal needs with same perceived comfort, combining cabin treatment, advanced air management and alternative comfort strategy;
- the setting up of a new thermal architecture that combines heat networking, recovery and storage capabilities, looking for synergies between thermal needs and heat losses so as to minimize consumption.
- the implementation of a heat pump to leverage “free” low temperature heat sources, such as ambient air or internal heat inertia and losses
- the benefit of a transient control strategy, in order to manage different operating modes and related “ramp up” or cycling phases, according to the vehicle usage profile.
As a conclusion, typical power savings compared to current serial EV will be presented on different scenarii, based on the results from tests campaigns and simulations analyses.

By Daniel Neveu (R&D program manager, Valeo Thermal Systems) and Osoko Shonda (Innovation Project Leader, Renault).

Paris gets electrified at the Motor Show

Every two years, the french capital welcomes the "Mondial de l'Automobile". This Motor Show, which is the most attended in the world (1,5 million visitors), is once more focused on EVs. OEMS are showing new models and a test track is welcoming visitors for a ride and drive. An electric village also welcomes plug suppliers.
Here is our guide of Paris Motor Show.




For Renault, this 2012 edition is the opportunity to launch the Zoe. This model has been homologated with an NEDC cycle range of 210 km. It also features the “Range OptimiZEr” to improve the real-world range, depending on driving conditions (between 100 and 150 km). Zoe can be charged at any level of power -taking between 30 minutes and nine hours - due to the “Caméléon” charger.
It is also the first Renault vehicle to be presented with R-Link, a multimedia system featuring a seven-inch touch screen tablet, navigation and connected services.

PSA is much focused on Hybrid4 technology. However, Peugeot makes the buzz with Onyx concept car. It is powered by a V8 hybrid engine.

Citroen is also introducing a concept car. DS3 Electrum is powered by two electric motors at the front.

Bolloré Group, which supplies Autolib' car sharing service with electric cars, is now ready to offer a version of the Bluecar for private customers. The 250 km range has been validated by intensive driving in Paris.

Small is beautiful, says Toyota. Here is the IQ EV model serie.

German OEMS are also electrifying Paris. Mercedes impresses with the amazing SLS AMG E-Cell. Daimler also exhibits the future B-Class (powered by Tesla) and the Brabus version of the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive.

BMW is showing a Spyder version of the i8 concept, as well as naked version of the i3 revealing the Life Drive structure. The other highight is the Active Tourer concept (a plug in hybrid).

Audi is also introducing a concept car. The Crosslane, which is a A1 based crossover, is a plug in hybrid.

Beside electric vehicles and plug in hybrids, fuel cell technology is well represented at Paris Motor Show. For instance, Nissan is displaying the TeRRA. This 4WD crossover has three electric motors, powered by a compact fuel cell.

Some other OEMS (Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes and Toyota) have also displayed a fuel cell car. During a European Road Tour, scandinavian organisation H2 Moves made a stop at Paris Motor Show.

As for EVs with charge points, a refuelling infrastructure has to be deployed. This what it will look like for an hydrogen station with Air Liquide.

Next, we will discuss connected cars.

CESA 2012 interview : Marc Duval-Destin (PSA), part three

Marc Duval-Destin is Research and Advanced Engineering VP at PSA Peugeot Citroën. For CESA blog, he talks about next generation powertrains.

"The evolution of powertrains is very similar to the evolution of species on Earth. OEMS have to adapt themselves to a new landscape, due to regulations for CO2 and pollution. Thanks to new technologies, in the field of combustion or admission, the average consumption will be reduced by 10 to 15 per cent in 2020. That's very important in only ten years.
Of course, electrification is the main topic today. Up to 8 billion dollars have been invested in battery technologies in the whole world. There is now a very large offer, from Stop & Start to range extender, including battery electric vehicles and plug in hybrids. I think that all these solutions will compete for the next decade. After 2020, the market will then choose the best options.
We already have electric vehicles and we have identified synergy effects in that field in our alliance with General Motors.
At PSA, we have decided to focus on diesel hybrid. This technology has been deployed on several vehicles and have been well welcomed by our customers. It is still a premium feature, but we are working to make it more affordable.
Our company has been also the first to promote Stop & Start system. We think it can be improved, in conjunction with a 48 volt architecture. It would be possible then to offer new functions, such as  active coasting and boost effet, with a 15 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions. The european approach for hybrids is more cost effective".

Next, Marc Duval-Destin will be discussing CESA event.

Cars 21 reports a vision for 2020

As part of the Commission's modern industrial policy, the CARS 21 (Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st century) made recommendations for 2020 to reach new heights.
It's a call for rapid progress on important subjects such as electro-mobility, road safety, market access strategy and a review of the CO2 emissions from cars and vans.
Cars 21 claims the roll out of alternative infrastructure to support new energies, standardisation issues for the breakthrough of electrical cars, the EIB financing for research, a new driving test-cycle and test procedure in order to reduce CO2 emissions, as well as ICT technologies supporting driver behaviour and road safety.
The car of 2020 should be clean, fuel-efficient, quiet, safe and connected. 

Link : http://cesa-automotive-electronics.blogspot.fr/

Former french minister of environment : EVs are necessary

In an statement for France Mobilité Electrique, the web site of Avere France*, former minister Jean-Louis Borloo says that EVs are absolutely necessary.
More than two years after the launch of french national plan for electro mobility, the first vehicles are hitting the market. Thanks to companies and public authorities, thousands of units have been ordered for the next 4 years. But, Jean-Louis Borloo claims for a faster adoption. The target is to cut the CO2 emissions of 3 % by 2020, saving 17,5 millions of tons compared to 2007.
According to Mr Borloo, EVs should account for 27 % of the whole market by 2025. In 2030, incomes from the development of clean cars should represent 15 billions euros, saving in the same time jobs in the automotive industry.

*An association promoting EVs and electromobility