Economical comparison of three hybrid electric car solutions

Based on the benchmark of hybrid solutions adopted by most manufacturers in China, three hybrid electric car solutions, which are parallel system with ISG and single clutch (SCP), parallel system with ISG and dual clutches (DCP), and plug-in series system (PIS), are selected to be analyzed. A mid-size car is chosen as the baseline car for developing hybrid electric car. Based on ADVISOR software, powertrain components, such as NiMH battery, ICE, motor and transmission, vehicle controller, clutch and vehicle plant are modeled or modified with similar parameters matched for the solutions. According to different solutions, energy management strategies are developed or improved to achieve the target performance. The performances simulated and analyzed are fuel economy performance and emission performance. In addition, costs models including ownership cost, operating cost and maintenance cost during full life cycle are also presented to comprehensively evaluate the costs and performances. Results show that SCP takes less fuel economy, the fewest ownership cost and the fewest total cost during life cycle; it maybe the best solutions. The improvements on fuel economy and ownership cost of DCP are all at a medium level. PIS takes the best economy performance and emission performance, the battery is the main baffle of this solution. Fuel tax is an important factor which will seriously affect the cost.