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During the interval from 1985 to 1993, the major automotive manufacturers of Western Europe, America, and Japan introduced experimental and prototype battery electric vehicles (EV) to the public. These electric vehicle technical developments have demonstrated that the automotive industry is responsive and creative in proposing potential solutions to the key concerns which have constrained the widespread application of the EV in the past. While this technical assessment included: identification of the key concerns and innovative solutions to aerodynamic drag reduction, tire loss reduction, and compared acceleration performance, vehicle range, regenerative braking, batteiy developments, fast recharging, unique passenger compartment heating and cooling solutions, and low mass vehicle structural materials; the scope of this paper is limited to reporting the performance and vehicle range results.

As part of an electric vehicle state-of-the-art evaluation, General Motors built a fuel cell powered van, the Electrovan, to explore the potential and problems of the fuel cell powerplant. Fuel cells were considered because they offer the potential of high thermal efficiency and extended range compared with batteries. Although the Electrovan was successfully operated on the road, we concluded that much research and development work is still needed to solve the many major problems. The encouraging rate of progress and the advantages of fuel cells provide the stimulus to maintain a strong continuing effort in this field.

This is an assessment of electric propulsion and magnetic levitation of automotive size vehicles in Japan. It includes conventional battery electric vehicles with peak speeds up to 100 km/h in mixed traffic for urban and suburban applications and magnetic levitation guideway confined vehicles with peak speeds of 300 km/h for intercity trans-sportation. These electric vehicles have been under development since 1971 and some are considered ready for commercialization.

The specific mission was to determine the effect of driving schedules on the efficiency of battery powered electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid engine/electric vehicles (HEV). Efficiency was referenced to the hydrocarbon (HC) fuel source which provided the electrical energy. In the case of the battery powered pure electric vehicle, the HC source was referenced to the public utility HC fuels. While, in the case of hybrid electric vehicles, the HC source was carried on board the HEV in the vehicle fuel tank.

Battery electric propulsion presents opportunities to regeneratively recover vehicle kinetic energy and provide: unique integrated regenerative braking options singly and/or in combinations; to further improve vehicle energy economy by methods which are not inherently applicable to the conventional internal combustion powered automobile. There are three basic modes to be considered in the design of regenerative braking systems for battery electric vehicles: service braking, programmable deceleration, and emergency braking. Furthermore, the type of traction motor, the driving schedule, and charging characteristics of the associated battery pack are essential considerations involved in designing regenerative braking systems for optimal recovery of vehicle kinetic energy and optimizing battery pack life.

Battery electric propulsion presents opportunities to recover vehicle kinetic energy and provide: unique integrated regenerative braking options singly and/or in combinations; to further improve vehicle energy economy by methods which are not applicable to conventional internal combustion powered vehicles. There are three basic modes to be considered in the design of regenerative braking systems for battery electric vehicles: service braking, programmable deceleration, and emergency braking. Furthermore, the type of traction motor, the driving schedule, and charging characteristics of the battery pack are essential considerations involved in designing regenerative braking systems for optimal recovery of vehicle kinetic energy and optimal battery pack life.