Simplified electric vehicle powertrain model for range and energy consumption based on EPA coast-down parameters and test validation by Argonne National Lab data on the Nissan Leaf

In this paper, a simplified power train model for an electric vehicle is developed by using the coast-down parameters published by the EPA to model the vehicle loads and by using Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) data to validate the model. The coast-down parameters provide a more accurate estimation of the road-load and vehicle no-load spin losses than could be estimated using other public information. The model is built up using engineering assumptions on the electromechanical power train, applied to the 2012 Nissan Leaf and validated against the Argonne experimental test data published in 2012. Excellent correlation is demonstrated between the model predictions and the experimental data for fuel economy, fuel consumption and range.