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Virginia Tech

Development and Testing of a Hybrid Vehicle Energy Management Strategy

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

An energy management strategy for a prototype P4 parallel hybrid Chevrolet Blazer is developed for the EcoCAR Mobility Challenge. The objective of the energy management strategy is to reduce energy consumption while maintaining the drive quality targets of a conventional vehicle. A comprehensive model of the hybrid powertrain and vehicle physics is constructed to aid in the development of the control strategy. To improve fuel efficiency, a Willans line model is developed for the conventional powertrain and used to develop a rule-based torque split strategy. The strategy maximizes high efficiency engine operation while reducing round trip losses. Calibratable parameters for the torque split operating regions allow for battery state of charge management. Torque request and filtering algorithms are also developed to ensure the hybrid powertrain can smoothly and reliably meet driver demand. Vehicle testing validates that the hybrid powertrain meets acceleration response targets while delivering an enjoyable driving experience. Simulation testing shows that the energy management strategy improved fuel economy in most drive cycles with improvements of 8.8% for US06, 9.8% for HWFET, and 0.1% for the EcoCAR Mobility Challenge Cycle. Battery state of charge management behavior is robust across a variety of drive cycles using inputs from both simulated and test drivers. The resulting energy management strategy delivers an efficient, responsive, and reliable hybrid electric vehicle.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2022

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Wu, Justin Quach
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Nelson, Douglas J.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Huxtable, Scott T.
  • Southward, Steve C.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:35521
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/111644

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Wu, Justin Quach. Development and Testing of a Hybrid Vehicle Energy Management Strategy. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/111644