Power losses and energy efficiency of multi-wheel drive vehicles: A method for evaluation

The article is concerned with assessing and providing energy and, accordingly, fuel efficiency of multi-wheel drive vehicles. It is shown that the energy efficiency depends on the distribution of power between the wheels, which, in its turn, is determined to a large extent by the driveline system and its power dividing units that are installed in the interaxle and interwheel drives of vehicles. The distribution of power between the wheels affects not only the vehicle’s slip efficiency, but also the mechanical efficiency of the driveline system as such, which should be taken into account in design. A method for assessing the energy efficiency of various vehicles involved in separate as well as combined traction and transportation work is presented.