Design of a low-cost hybrid powertrain with large fuel savings

This paper presents a new design of a low-cost hybrid powertrain with large fuel savings. The hybrid powertrain contains only low-cost mechanical components, such as a flywheel module and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). No electrical motor/generator or battery is used. Based on characteristics of typical driving cycles, a hybrid topology is introduced and the energy storage capacity of the flywheel module is derived accordingly. The fuel saving potential of the new powertrain is simulated for a compact passenger vehicle, which represents the aimed vehicle segment of the emerging market in China. Simulations show that the fuel saving potential, with respect to the same vehicle without flywheel module, ranges in between 16 and 29%, dependent on the considered driving cycle. © EVS-25 Shenzhen, China.