A Study on the Electric Energy Consumption of a Lightweight Four-Wheeled Vehicle Powered by the BLDC Hub Motors Designed for Disabled People
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1
Department of Rail Vehicles and Transport, Cracow University of Technology
2
Department of Motor Vehicles, Cracow University of Technology
These authors had equal contribution to this work
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ABSTRACT
Electric vehicles (EVs) play a key role in sustainable transport, offering high efficiency, lower emissions and reduced operating costs. The aim of the tests was to determine the electric power consumption of a lightweight quadricycle class L6e-BP, designed for people with disabilities, and then to check its energy consumption in an urban cycle. The vehicle uses hub-mounted brushless direct-current (BLDC) motors and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Tests were conducted at constant speeds (13, 25, 35 km/h) and simulated city driving. Optimum efficiency was achieved at a speed of 25 km/h, with a consumption of 3.7 kWh/100 km. In urban conditions, energy consumption increased to 8.24 kWh/100 km due to frequent acceleration and braking. The maximum system efficiency reached 95 % at 500 rpm. Using quadratic regression, the energy demand was modeled over the range of 6–50 km/h, confirming a minimum of around 20–25 km/h. The results highlight the influence of real-world conditions on EV performance and confirm the need to develop tailored drive systems and control strategies for urban mobility-oriented vehicles.