Urban Electric Vehicle for Efficient Green Transportation
Stephen Aranda, Derek Benallie, Aniza Brown, Justin Cummings, Brendan George, Michael Young
College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences; Department of Electrical Engineering
Competition Results
Abstract
Advancements in technology have caused electric
vehicles to be viable alternative methods of transportation.
Society’s attempt to shift its energy dependence to greener
alternatives is due to the fact that fossil fuels are
depleting, causing gas prices to increase daily. The Eco
Car team competed in the Shell Eco-Marathon. The
concept of the competition is to assist in the innovation of
alternatively powered vehicles. To accomplish this, the
team’s major foci consist of redesigning the electrical
system and redesigning a lighter fairing. Technological
innovation in electric vehicle design will change the
future dependency from fossil fuels to economically
efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.
Problem Overview
The EE Team is responsible for all electrical features for
the vehicle. The major electrical implementations were a
complete redesign of the drive train system and accessory
system. The drivetrain system consisted of two DC motors
running off of a single controller powered by a 48V
battery system. A 12V battery powers the accessory
system which consists of: two headlights, two front turn
signals, two rear brake lights, two rear running lights, two
rear turn signals, windshield wipers, and a horn. The
entire system was designed and implemented with safety
in mind.
Successively completed technical inspection including:
• Detailed Schematics (PSpice)
• Battery Temperature Protection
• Over Charge Protection
• Over Discharge Protection
• Short Circuit Protection
Successfully competed on track and achieved 13 miles per
kilowatt hour.
Electrical Systems
Overcame numerous mechanical design obstacles with
little prior mechanical knowledge.
Project Results
Our system consists of two major parts, the drive train
and the accessory system. The drive train is a 48V
Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack, which consists of
sixteen 3.2 volts cells. This then powers the 4QD DC
chopper controller, which controls the two permanent
magnet DC motors on the rear of the vehicle. There are
also two kill switches wired in series on the controllerbattery line for short circuit protection and emergency
stop.
Listed below are our project results that were giving to us
to accomplish in this semester. Each of the giving
objectives was completed and is listed as:
The accessory system is composed of a Data Acquisition
Unit (DAQ), Touchscreen, 12 volt lead acid battery and
relays. Each accessory: lights, blinkers, windshield, and
horn are connected to an array of 5 volt relays, which in
turn open and close by the DAQ output signals. This
device is then operated through a graphical user interface
on the touch screen. Each of these signals, contain a fuse
for short circuit safety.
•
•
•
•
•
• Lighten the fairing
• Get the car running
• Compete at Shell Eco-Marathon
Cost Analysis
Fairing Cost Estimation = $2,391.37
Chassis Cost Estimation = $1,000.00
Electrical Cost Estimation = $3,518.54
Miscellaneous Costs Estimation = $1,727.47
Total Cost = $8,637.38
Acknowledgements
The team also would like to give special thanks for the
generous financial help received from our sponsors:
Fairing Redesign
The original fairing comprised of the core fairing, two
side car doors and a backdoor. The team used the
fairing from last year to create a positive mold. We
covered the individual portions of the fairing with a
mold release wax and a gel-coat, which was applied to
the surface of the mold for a smoother finish. From the
positive we created a negative mold. With this
negative, we used fewer layers of fiberglass and a
minimal amount of resin, which dropped
approximately 70lbs overall. We also added
reinforcements to insure durability and stability
throughout the fairing. After the fiberglass completely
cured, the team cut and sanded the fairing so it could be
painted.
• Jim Corining of Novakinetics
• Auto Paint Plus
• Shell
• J.G. Management Systems
• O’Reilly
• Dr. John Tester
• Dr. Niranjan Venkatramam
• Dr. Allison Kipple
• Professor John Sharber
• Chuck Hebestreit