sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Current Issues in Human-Powered Electric Hybrid Vehicles: Dynamics, Control and Management

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2023) | Viewed by 4429

Special Issue Editor

Dipartimento di Elettronica Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, 20134 Milano, Italy
Interests: dynamics and control of vehicles with particular interest in human-powered electric hybrid vehicles, Lithium-ion battery modeling, estimation and control

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The current mobility model, based on privately owned fossil fueled vehicles, is not sustainable in view of the climate crisis. Furthermore, the current COVID-19 pandemic is limiting access to public transit. A possible solution is to adopt a multimodal approach where users have access to different vehicles for different phases of their trips. In this scenario, human-powered vehicles (e.g., bicycles, kick-scooters, roller skates) can play a pivotal role.

Human-powered vehicles are eco-friendly, efficient, have a small footprint, and promote a healthy lifestyle. For example, bicycles are arguably the ideal means of transportation in urban contexts. However, human-powered vehicles require a level of physical prowess, and many people may not be willing or capable to exert the required effort. Human-powered electric hybrid vehicles (also known as power-assisted vehicles) overcome this limitation by adding an electric motor that amplifies the user’s effort.

This Special Issue aims to gather contributions that address open problems in the modeling, design, implementation and management of human-powered electric hybrid vehicles. In particular, this Special Issue seeks to further scientific understanding on:

  • Methods and technologies to improve the energy efficiency of human-powered vehicles (or fleets of human-powered vehicles);
  • Methods and technologies to model and improve vehicle ergonomics;
  • Methods and technologies (both active and passive) to improve users and public safety.

Human-powered electric hybrid vehicles have the potential to considerably impact modern mobility. We look forward to receiving your papers.

Prof. Dr. Matteo Corno
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bicycle dynamics
  • sustainable vehicles
  • vehicle energy management
  • vehicle dynamics control
  • active vehicle safety
  • passive vehicle safety
  • hybrid vehicles
  • electric vehicles
  • zero impact vehicles

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

12 pages, 2778 KiB  
Article
Efficiency Evaluation of Electric Bicycle Power Transmission Systems
by Sheng-Peng Zhang and Tae-Oh Tak
Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10988; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su131910988 - 03 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3543
Abstract
In this study, a method for estimating the efficiency of electric bicycle power train systems consisting of typical components, such as an electric motor, gears, sprockets, and chains is presented. In order to calculate the efficiency of a power train system, the relationship [...] Read more.
In this study, a method for estimating the efficiency of electric bicycle power train systems consisting of typical components, such as an electric motor, gears, sprockets, and chains is presented. In order to calculate the efficiency of a power train system, the relationship between the drive motor torque and the road-load that is exerted on the rear wheel was derived, considering kinematic inertia effects and friction losses between power transmission elements. Among the factors that influence efficiency, it was found that friction losses play a dominant role, while the effects of inertia are insignificant. The factors that influence the efficiency of electric bicycles due to friction losses, such as the transmission efficiency of the chain system and the bearing in the sprocket and wheel, were quantified. To validate the proposed efficiency calculation procedure, an experimental electric bicycle was used, in which the driving torque and road-load could be quantitatively assessed, and the actual efficiency was measured on a chassis dynamometer. It is shown that for a given motor torque, a measured and estimated dynamometer torque obtained by the proposed method exhibits a good correlation, and the transmission efficiency of each component was quantified. This method provides a practical and accurate means to calculate the drive train efficiency of electric bicycles at the design stage to improve the efficiency of electric bicycles. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop