Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are driven by both an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, utilizing energy stored in batteries. Unlike fully electric vehicles and Plug in Hybrids (PHEVs), HEVs cannot be directly plugged in to charge their batteries. Instead, the battery is recharged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion…
Have you ever wondered how a conventional powertrain makes your car move? Today, we’re diving into the world of conventional powertrains, the beating heart of most vehicles on the road. In a conventional powertrain, an internal combustion engine (ICE), transforms the stored energy from gasoline or diesel fuel into kinetic energy within the engine. This…
Alright, so let’s talk about vehicle performance and driveability! Many young car owners struggle with the misconception that modifying a car doesn’t affect its driveability. But what exactly is driveability? And how does it differ from vehicle performance? When we talk about vehicle performance, we’re talking about how well a car can do its thing,…
In the realm of engineering and applied sciences, understanding and modeling dynamic systems are essential skills. When designing control systems, it is imperative to effectively model the dynamics of engineered systems. This model consists of a set of equations, typically differential equations, that depict the system’s dynamics based on the principles of physics. Through this…
Energy storage refers to the process of capturing energy generated at one point in time for later use, helping to balance disparities between energy demand and production. Devices designed for this purpose are commonly known as accumulators or batteries. Energy storage entails converting energy from less manageable forms into more easily stored and economically viable…
What’s the difference between energy vs power? In the realm of physics and engineering, the concepts of energy and power are fundamental but often misunderstood. While they are closely related, they represent distinct aspects of physical systems. Energy is the ability to do work, while power is the rate at which work is done or…
Why are the dynamics of mechanical systems important? Dynamics of mechanical systems is the science/ study of motion, aiming to describe natural and technological movements in the simplest way possible. It encompasses all aspects of motion, including displacements, deformations, and static systems where motion appears frozen. In the realm of engineering, understanding the dynamics of…
Why are battery thermal management systems important? In the electrifying world of modern technology, where portable gadgets have become an integral part of our daily lives, the role of lithium-ion batteries cannot be overstated. These compact powerhouses efficiently store and release energy, but hidden within their sleek exteriors is a complex interplay of heat and…
We all know that the braking system in a car is super important! That has never changed however, in the ever-evolving landscape of automotive technology, the advent of electrified vehicles has ushered in a new era of sustainability and efficiency. Every electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle available in the U.S. today features a regenerative braking…
In the rapidly evolving landscape of automotive technology, electrified vehicles have taken center stage, promising a cleaner, more sustainable future for transportation. As we embrace the shift towards electric mobility, understanding the intricacies of vehicle dynamics and energy management becomes paramount. Among the many factors influencing the efficiency of electrified vehicles, vehicle longitudinal dynamics plays…