Optimal Electric Motor Designs of Light Electric Vehicles: A Review

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of numerous studies aimed at improving the operating characteristics of electric motors used in light electric vehicles (LEVs). This review focuses on four types of electric motors that can be installed in the drive wheel rims of LEVs. Due to the availability of new magnetic materials and the use of advanced techniques for optimizing the design of electric motors, new motor topologies have emerged. The latest generation motors have been shown to be more efficient, have higher torque density, and generate less torque ripple. This paper indicates and discusses current trends in the topology of electric motors designed for LEV drives. In this context, the effectiveness of the proposed design modifications in terms of selected motor operational characteristics was assessed. The proposed new topologies were compared with commercial solutions, also in terms of the possibility of improving their operational parameters.