Simulation and design of a kit for the electrification of a light tricycle truck Online publication date: Thu, 30-Jul-2020
by Luca Pugi; Matteo Giglioli; Lorenzo Berzi; Edoardo Locorotondo; Alessandro Pretto
International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems (IJHVS), Vol. 27, No. 3, 2020
Abstract: Light tricycle trucks represent a diffused kind of vehicle in urban areas in Asia, Africa and South America. Tricycle offers a cheap and agile solution for transportation of goods in crowded urban areas. Despite to its diffusion, electrification of this kind of vehicle has been neglected by large industrial groups since it involves low margin of profit with respect to upgraded vehicles. However, electrification of tricycles should be important for a world sustainable growth. A simple and cheap electrification kit is proposed in this study. Proposed solution can be used to upgrade existing vehicles with limited investments. An APE Piaggio, a widely diffused vehicle is considered as benchmark test case. Vehicle dynamics is modelled in order to optimise various aspects related to installation, and weight distribution. Particular attention is paid to optimisation of regenerative braking and its blending with mechanical one to maximise autonomy and to preserve vehicle stability.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems (IJHVS):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook