Aerodynamic resistance reduction of electric and hybrid vehicles. Progress report, September 1978. [EHVSCD]

Technical Report · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6172399· OSTI ID:6172399

The objectives, approach, and FY'78 progress and results of the Aerodynamic Resistance Reduction work element of the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle System R and D Project are described. The generation of an EHV aerodynamic data base was initiated by conducting full-scale wind tunnel tests on 16 vehicles. Zero-yaw drag coefficients ranged from a high of 0.58 for a boxey delivery van and an open roadster to a low of about 0.34 for a current 4-passenger prototype automobile which was designed with aerodynamics as an integrated parameter. A subscale investigation was performed in order to identify any characteristic effects of aspect ratio or fineness ratio which might appear if electric vehicle shape proportions were to vary significantly from current automobiles. Some preliminary results are presented which indicate a 5 to 10% variation in drag over the range of interest. A rigorous procedure was developed in order to determine effective drag coefficient wind-weighting factors over J227a driving cycles in the presence of annual mean wind fields. The applications of this procedure allows a user to accurately account for statistical wind effects in computer simulations by means of a modified constant-drag coefficient. Such coefficients, when properly weighted, were found to be from 5 to 65% greater than the zero-yaw drag coefficient in the cases presented. In order to guide preliminary design work, a review of the general principles of the aerodynamic design of automobiles is presented along with several drag-estimating procedures and commentary. Also included is a vehicle aerodynamics bibliography of over 160 entries, in six general categories.

• Research Organization: Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6172399
• Report Number(s): HCP/M5030-274
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330300* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Electric-Powered Systems
330400 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Hybrid Systems
330601 -- Vehicle Design Factors-- Body & Chassis
AERODYNAMICS
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
COMPUTER CODES
DESIGN
DOCUMENT TYPES
DRAG
E CODES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
FLUID MECHANICS
HYBRID ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
MECHANICS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TEST FACILITIES
TUNNELS
VEHICLES
WIND
WIND TUNNELS