Development of Electric Medium-Duty Trucks (e-MDTs) through Model-Based Design and Optimization

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Increasing concerns over air pollution, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and volatile petroleum-based fuel prices have led to the development of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). However, the further development and broader applications of BEVs need improved performance, operation range, lower lifecycle costs, and new designs for specific niche markets with unique operation profiles. The medium-duty trucks (MDTs) provide a popular low-cost transport solution used primarily on city roads for carrying tools, supplies, and materials for working crews. The MDT industry is only now emerging with notable progress in BEV development under the more stringent GHG and fuel efficiency regulations. This project will address the critical issues in current BEV development and focus on several critical enabling technologies and design tools to develop new battery-powered electric MDT (e-MDT). Our Clean Transportation Research Team, with extensive experience in electrified vehicle (EV) research, will carry out this work in collaboration with our industrial partner, Canadian Electric Vehicles Ltd., specializing in smaller EV production. The collaboration team will introduce, test and improve the methods and processes for optimizing the e-MDTs' powertrain system, critical powertrain component selection/sizing, power control/energy management, and chassis/suspension systems under real-world operating conditions. The research will introduce model-based design and optimization (MBDO) methods and processes for e-MDTs with balanced performance and lifecycle costs. A proof-of-concept vehicle will be built and tested to verify the new design and control optimization tools and results. The joint effort aims to develop advanced e-MDT optimization and control methods validated on market-ready vehicles and provide first-class training to Canada's future clean vehicle specialists and leaders. The program will ensure the continued success of our electrified propulsion technology research/training program and the development of advanced BEV technologies and products at Canadian Electric Vehicles and benefit the Canadian automotive industry.