Consumpton Comparison of Different Modes of Operation of a Hybrid Vehicle

A test rig representing a hybrid system comprising of an engine unit coupled with a hydraulic dynamometer, a D.C. series motor serving as torquer, an alternator and a battery pack of 10 lead-acid batteries had been used for the performance analysis. The planetary gear drive was incorporated in the transmission in order to have a continuously variable transmission and the possibility of charging the batteries. An analysis is presented which illustrates the comparison in Kuwait when working in three modes of operation namely all mechanical, all electrical and the hybrid mode. The performance evaluation results in the possibility of avoiding costly field tests and the specific analyses might yield useful rules regarding a control system fitted in the vehicle to obtain the optimum mode according to road conditions.