Today’s debate regarding the United States (U.S.) transportation sector has never been more important. As similar discussions embroil electricity generation, one can see the powerful forces of the status-quo pitted against growing momentum behind alternatives. The electric vehicle (EV) finds itself somewhere in the middle of the debate, as a possible alternative to the conventional vehicle (CV). As demonstrated in this report, electric vehicles are neither new nor technologically infeasible. Current circumstances have initiated what appears to be a revival of the EV – this includes years of high oil prices, geopolitical instability, and growing awareness of environmental concerns resulting from CV usage. Nevertheless, impediments remain. One of the most important is the prospect of building public charging infrastructure to allow drivers to use an EV like their conventional vehicle, for both long and short distances. Public charging infrastructure, however, cannot be built without some critical mass of EV’s on the road to use them – otherwise they are not economically feasible. This report analyzes various facets of both EV’s and public charging infrastructure to give the reader a clear understanding of the complex criteria that must be understood to assess EV’s in the United States. Texas is given special consideration as a case study in this report, particularly the Austin area where public charging infrastructure for EV’s is currently being implemented. Through a detailed analysis of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, as well as the United States transportation system, this report seeks to reach conclusions over the role EV’s and public charging infrastructure should play in the future U.S. transportation system. / text

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This thesis describes the development of a microprocessor based control system for a parallel hybrid petrol/electric vehicle. All the fundamental systems needed to produce an operational vehicle have been developed and tested using a full sized experimental rig in the laboratory. The work begins with a review of the history of hybrid vehicles, placing emphasis on the ability of the petrol electric design to considerably reduce the consumption of oil based fuels, by transferring some of the load to the broad base of fuels used to generate electricity. Efficient operation of a hybrid depends on the correct scheduling of load between engine and motor, and correct choice of gear ratio. To make this possible torque control systems using indirect measurements provided by cheap sensors, have been developed. Design of the control systems is based on a theoretical analysis of both the engine and the motor. Prior to final controller design, using the pole placement method, the transfer functions arising from the theory are identified using a digital model reference technique. The resulting closed loop systems exhibit well tuned behaviour which agrees well with simulation. To complete the component control structure, a pneumatic actuation system was added to a 'manual gearbox' bringing it under complete computer control. All aspects of component control have been brought together so that an operator can drive the system through simulated cycles. Transitions between modes of operation during a cycle are presently based on speed, but the software is structured so that efficiency based strategies may be readily incorporated in future. Consistent control over cycles has been ensured by the development of a computer speed controller, which takes the place of an operator. This system demonstrates satisfactory transition between all operating modes.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, March, 2003. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-82).

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2010. / Mode of access: Internet. Title from PDF title page; viewed on April 1, 2010. Major professor: Dr. James Widmann. "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering." "March 2010." Includes bibliographical references (p. 57).

Thesis (Ph. D in Transportation Tecnology and Policy)--University of California, Davis, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-254). Also available online via the ITS Davis website (its.ucdavis.edu).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-90). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-90). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 184-193). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.