Machine Learning-Based Vehicle Model Construction and Validation—Toward Optimal Control Strategy Development for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Advances in machine learning inspire novel solutions for the validation of complex vehicle models and spur an easy manner to promote energy management performance of complexly configured vehicles, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). A constructed PHEV model, based on the four-wheel-drive passenger vehicle configuration, is validated through an efficient virtual test controller (VTC) developed in this article. The VTC is designed via a novel approach based on the least-square support vector machine and random forest with the inner-interim data filtered by the ReliefF algorithm to validate the vehicle model as necessary. This article discusses the process and highlights the accuracy improvements of the PHEV model that is achieved by implementing the VTC. The validity of the VTC is addressed by examining the PHEV model to mimic the characteristics of internal combustion engine, motor, and generator behaviors observed through the benchmark test. Sufficient simulations and hardware-in-loop test are employed to demonstrate the capability of the novel VTC-based model validation method in practical applications. The major novelty of this article lies in the development of a VTC, by which the vehicle model can be efficiently developed, providing solid framework and enormous convenience for control strategy design.