AERODYNAMIC DESIGN OF ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES: A GUIDEBOOK

A typical present-day subcompact EHV, operating on an SAE J227a D driving cycle, consumes up to 35% of its road energy requirement overcoming aerodynamic resistance. The application of an integrated system design approach, where drag reduction is an important design parameter, can increase the cycle range by more than 15%. This guidebook highlights a logic strategy for including aerodynamic drag reduction in the design of electric and hybrid vehicles to the degree appropriate to the mission requirements. Backup information and procedures are included in order to implement the strategy. Elements of the procedure are based on extensive wind tunnel tests involving generic subscale models and full-scale prototype EHVs. The user need not have any previous aerodynamic background. By necessity, the procedure utilizes many generic approximations and assumptions resulting in various levels of uncertainty. Dealing with these uncertainties, however, is a key feature of the strategy. (ERA citation 06:005035)

• Corporate Authors:

  Jet Propulsion Laboratory

  California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive
  Pasadena, CA  United States  91103

  Department of Energy

  1000 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20585
• Authors:
  • KURTZ, D W
• Publication Date: 1980-9-30

Media Info

• Pagination: 87 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Compact automobiles; Design; Drag; Electric vehicles; Hybrid automobiles; Hybrid vehicles; Implementation; Prototype tests; Reduction (Chemistry); Structural models; Vehicle design; Wind tunnels
• Old TRIS Terms: Mockup; Reduction; Small car; Strategy
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Energy; Highways; Research; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00337769
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: AI01-78CS54209
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 15 1981 12:00AM