A 48 v Drive Train for a Utility Vehicle Designed for Rural Africa - Review and Analysis

In recent years, the number of battery electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles has risen. In this context, the importance of 48 V-systems has increased as they are becoming more widely used in both vehicle concepts. Thus, they are given more attention in research and development. This paper introduces an example of an electric drive train in a battery electric vehicle. This drivetrain was implemented in the context of the aCar mobility project which aims to provide mobility for developing countries, especially in Africa. The requirements of the target region led to the design of a robust electric vehicle with all-wheel-drive, which utilizes electrical machines designed for mild-hybrid applications. This paper explains why a 48 V- system is suitable for this application and offers advantages when compared to a high-voltage drivetrain. During prototype testing in Ghana, it was demonstrated that the drivetrain is suitable for the typical road and weather conditions of Sub-Saharan Africa.