Comparative analysis of hybrid vehicle energy management strategies with optimization of fuel economy and battery life

Abstract Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) form an important category of the automotive segment and most importantly fill the transition between internal combustion engines powered conventional vehicles and electric motor-powered vehicles. One of the main propagandas and sales factor of HEV is improved fuel economy over conventional vehicles. Over the recent years, considering the longevity of HEV usage, battery life evaluation has been brought to the forefront of research along with fuel economy and the key method to slow down the battery aging is through Energy Management Strategy (EMS). This research paper presents the comparative analysis of battery life optimization with different control strategies in a parallel hybrid vehicle. In the available research work, EMS considering battery aging is still lacking. This research work considers the impact of multiple parameters, including temperature and current on battery aging, providing more accurate battery life prediction. Four different control strategies are analyzed including, Thermostat, Fuzzy logic, Adaptive Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (A-ECMS) and Q-learning considering battery aging. Results are compared concerning battery aging and fuel economy. In this research, ECMS results show a 25% improved fuel economy compared to the rule-based strategy. Also, a market cost-analysis is depicted to show the monetary savings for each of the energy management strategy.