The Aerodynamics of Future Electric and Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Cars
The Aerodynamics of Future Electric and Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Cars
Wilson Tong
School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
ABSTRACT
This document will investigates the influence of global warming and peak oil including the consequences that affect the vehicle industry. Much research and development have been done in recent years to either "electrified" or to implement fuel cell onto normal road vehicles. The use of fuel cell on a road vehicle might be the solution but it is considered too implausible to mass-produced in today 's technology (Suplee, 2009). Electric vehicle, on the other hand, are more practical and easy to develop. This paper will focus on the technical review of a purely electric car.
The performance, styling, comfort and cooling of an Electric Vehicle (EV) is different from most Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles as they are more energy efficient and the way electric vehicle gets its energy are dissimilar to ICE vehicle. In addition, the mass use of such vehicle is relatively new and is not as matured as ICE vehicle. The study of aerodynamics and aero-acoustic of an electric car is important as both factors can improve the car 's range and usability.
Various methods of reducing the overall drag of the car and the potential wind noise that would affect the occupants inside the vehicle are analysed in this paper, as well as ways to optimise the usage of the battery will be examined.
INTRODUCTION
The effect of global warming and peak oil has prompted car manufacturers to look for an alternative for vehicle propulsion. Alternative propulsion such as bio-fuel, petrol-electric hybrids and turbo-charged diesel have been proposed and manufactured in recent years. All these substitutes can reduce carbon emission to a certain extent but these are not long term solutions for solving global warming.
A new concept of vehicle propulsion is therefore required to
Wilson Tong
School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
ABSTRACT
This document will investigates the influence of global warming and peak oil including the consequences that affect the vehicle industry. Much research and development have been done in recent years to either "electrified" or to implement fuel cell onto normal road vehicles. The use of fuel cell on a road vehicle might be the solution but it is considered too implausible to mass-produced in today 's technology (Suplee, 2009). Electric vehicle, on the other hand, are more practical and easy to develop. This paper will focus on the technical review of a purely electric car.
The performance, styling, comfort and cooling of an Electric Vehicle (EV) is different from most Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles as they are more energy efficient and the way electric vehicle gets its energy are dissimilar to ICE vehicle. In addition, the mass use of such vehicle is relatively new and is not as matured as ICE vehicle. The study of aerodynamics and aero-acoustic of an electric car is important as both factors can improve the car 's range and usability.
Various methods of reducing the overall drag of the car and the potential wind noise that would affect the occupants inside the vehicle are analysed in this paper, as well as ways to optimise the usage of the battery will be examined.
INTRODUCTION
The effect of global warming and peak oil has prompted car manufacturers to look for an alternative for vehicle propulsion. Alternative propulsion such as bio-fuel, petrol-electric hybrids and turbo-charged diesel have been proposed and manufactured in recent years. All these substitutes can reduce carbon emission to a certain extent but these are not long term solutions for solving global warming.
A new concept of vehicle propulsion is therefore required to
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