Configurations and control of traction motors for electric vehicles: A review

Abstract

In recent decades, worldwide global warming and reduction in petroleum resources have accelerated researcher's attention to produce alternative sustainable and environmentally clean transportation systems. Electrification of vehicular technology is capable of curbing the environmental pollution problem in an efficient and effective way, due to high efficiency electric motors, development and advancement in the field of power electronic devices, digital signal processing and advanced control techniques. This article presents a comprehensive review on different configurations/ architecture of electric vehicles(EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles(HEVs), traction motors for electric propulsion system and high performance speed sensorless control of traction drive. The basic architecture key components of hybrid vehicle and different power train configurations with respect to applications and limitations are discussed. The integral part of electric propulsion system, traction motor classes for desired operational characteristics and limitations are summarized from a system perspective with the latest improvements. High performance traction motor control techniques are discussed with respect to automotive applications. Finally, speed sensorless control techniques research trends as well as an extensive review on rotor speed estimation techniques for robust and efficient sensorless traction drive control are highlighted. This article provides state of the art key global trends and tradeoff of various technologies with future trends and potential areas of research.