Power Quality and Break-Even Points in the Use of Electric Motorcycles in the Case of the Thailand Residential Building

Abstract

The use of electric motorcycles (EMCs) is rapidly increasing because EMCs are comparable in price to internal combustion engine motorcycles (ICE motorcycles), can be charged at home, and do not cause pollution. However, using EMCs in residential electrical systems is still a new issue in Thailand, as the Thai power grid was not originally designed to support electric vehicle charging. Therefore, the effect that may occur on the electrical system of a house should be studied. In this study, the power quality when charging an EMC in a residential electrical system is investigated by considering the circuits of various electrical devices according to their actual consumption behavior. Three electric motorcycles with battery capacities of 20, 30, and 40 Ah were used to investigate the effects of charging these motorcycles through the electrical system of a house. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory that replicated the electrical system of a house, and the conditions and patterns of power consumption were identical in all three cases. The test results were considered in terms of power quality, voltage harmonics, and current power system harmonics to analyze the effects on the electrical system in each circuit and to compare the charging differences of each motorcycle model. Next, it was determined that using an EMC is more cost-effective than using an ICE motorcycle. ICE motorcycles will eventually be completely replaced by EMCs, and our research will enable informed decision-making for electric motorcycle riders, researchers, and automotive corporations.