MPC-based Traction Control for Electric Vehicles

The car technology shift to powertrain electrification gives plenty of new ways to improve safety, one of such is the regenerative brake sustained by the capability of the instant torque that an electric motor can produce. However, traction control is something that needs to be discussed and study in order to maximize safety, acceleration, and braking for electric vehicles. This paper examines and simulates a torque control technique, ensuring a secure and safe acceleration, and braking procedure to avoid slipping. This is achieved by computing the dynamics of a car with a quarter vehicle model and the characteristics of a tire. In this work, a Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy is adopted in order to control the torque needed to follow a slip ratio given as reference. Simulation results show a quick reach of the maximum grip available, ensuring a fast and safe braking/acceleration maneuver by ensuring the reach and hold of the maximum friction coefficient point of the tire model..