Zero Emission Vehicles - 2025 entry

Today, it is of paramount importance to stimulate the creativity of students to solve the challenges in the decarbonisation of the transportation sector.

This module aims to provide you with a solid foundation in modelling and control techniques for zero-emission powertrains. Throughout the module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the core components of a fully electric vehicle, including batteries, power converters, electric motors, and drives, as well as mechanical elements. Furthermore, the module will introduce you to the fundamentals of energy balance and management principles specific to electric vehicles, along with an introduction to optimization approaches applied in this domain.

The module provides a comprehensive exploration of the concepts of modelling, energy-power management, control, and optimisation as they relate to zero-emission vehicles. It will enable you to develop a range of interdisciplinary skills at the intersection between mechanical, electrical, and control systems engineering. A central theme of the module is to demonstrate the significance of mathematical modelling and equations in critically evaluating power requirements, efficiency, and energy balance in the context of electric vehicles.

The module will encourage the creation of an inclusive team-work environment where you will contribute as a group to achieve common goals.

You will work in a stimulating and enriching teamworking environment to generate a group investigative report to analyse a modelling aspect of an electric vehicle. To enhance your practical understanding, laboratory sessions will be held at the University experimental facilities.

You are also encouraged to actively engage with the XRacing Team, the Formula Student of Exeter. By participating in this extracurricular activity, you can further explore your passion for racing vehicles and gain hands-on experience in a real-world racing environment.

Moreover, upon completion of this module, you will have the opportunity to continue your involvement in Formula Student during Year 4 of your MEng studies. Through the ENGM015 MEng Individual Investigative Project, you can actively contribute to the realisation of a racing car. For those interested, there will be an opportunity to join the annual racing event held at Silverstone in the United Kingdom.

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes. The Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module and identified in brackets below.

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes.  The Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module and identified in brackets below.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1.Exemplify, through analytical and simulation work, knowledge and understanding of basic concepts required for the analysis and interpretation of powertrain dynamical behaviour (M1, M2, M3, C1, C2, C3)

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

2.Accurately and independently summarise the technical content of research articles from peer reviewed journals, technical reports, and component datasheets without guidance. (M4, C4)

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

3.Reveal improved creativity in problem solving (M14, M15, C14, C15)   

4.Communicate in writing to a professional standard (M17, C17)

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

1. Clean Powertrains: Decarbonisation, Architectures, and Overview

2. Longitudinal Vehicle Dynamics, Mathematical Formulation, and numerical examples

3. The Road Model and its impact on energy demand

4. Battery and DC Power Converters: Fundaments and modelling

5. AC Power Converters and Motors: Fundamentals and Modelling

6. Power and Energy Balance Equations

7. Recovery Braking Principles

8. Heavy Duty Vehicles and Racing Cars- Overview and Energy Considerations

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Basic reading:

• Du, H., Cao, D. and Zhang, H. eds., 2017. Modeling, dynamics, and control of electrified vehicles. Woodhead publishing.
• Arora, S., Abkenar, A.T., Jayasinghe, S.G. and Tammi, K., 2021. Heavy-duty Electric Vehicles: From Concept to Reality. Butterworth-Heinemann.
• Robert Bosch GmbH, 2022. Automotive Handbook, Wiley.

Reading list for this module: