Department - Author 1
Electrical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Electrical Engineering
Date
6-2016
Primary Advisor
Art MacCarley
Abstract/Summary
Electric vehicles have begun to hit the main stream market, with sales raising form under 20,000 in 2001 to over 110,000 per year since 2014 [1]. With new models hitting the market every year, and more people becoming conscious about their fossil fuel usage, this trend will only continue until there are more electric vehicles than combustion vehicles on the road. A major drawback of electric vehicles is their limited range, and relatively long recharge times. Even with advancements in battery charging speed, such as the Tesla super charger, able to provide up to 90 miles of range in just 30 minutes, electric vehicles are still not practical for people who make regular, long distance trips [2]. These quick charging technologies not only take much longer than refueling a combustion vehicle, they providing less range, and they are also bad for the vehicles batteries. Regularly using them will greatly reduce the capacity and lifespan of the vehicles battery pack. The equivalent to refueling a combustion vehicle, is switching out the traction battery pack for a fully charged one. This gives the vehicle the full range of the battery pack, in the time it takes for the exchange to take place. This technology would help make electric vehicles more practical for people who do not want to wait around for their vehicle to charge, as well as help spread the cost of replacing depleted battery packs over the life of the vehicle.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/eesp/346