EV Powertrain Configurations

Abstract

An internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) employs a combustion engine for its powertrain. In contrast, an electric vehicle (EV) employs an electric motor for its powertrain. Differing from the ICEV powertrain that involves only the mechanical subsystem, the EV powertrain includes both the electrical subsystem and the mechanical subsystem. The electrical subsystem consists of the electronic controller, the power converter, and the electric motor, whereas the mechanical subsystem is the mechanical transmission. The variations in the electrical subsystem are mainly due to various types of electric motors and power converters adopted, whereas the variations in the mechanical subsystem mainly depend on various types of gearings and differentials selected. As there are many possible EV powertrain configurations, only those viable and representative configurations are discussed in this chapter, with emphasis on their basic principle and qualitative comparison.