Mozo M.A., Banaguas V., Encarnacion J.I., Odulio C.M., 2025, The Role of Road Grades in Drive Cycle Analysis for Electric Vehicle, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 120, 343-348.
The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly increasing globally, with more people recognizing their benefits. Diverse traffic conditions and terrain in different countries present unique challenges for EV performance evaluation, a critical yet often neglected factor in conventional methods. This research examines the impact of road grade on drive cycle analysis. Utilizing the technical specifications of a local EV minibus, simulations were conducted in AVL Cruise M to assess how varying road grades in drive cycles influence energy consumption. The study incorporated three different drive cycles: Japan Mode Urban 1, Urban Driving Cycle (UDC), and Federal Test Procedure (FTP75), each simulated with varying road grades. The findings revealed a substantial increase in energy consumption on graded drive cycles. This underscores the importance of considering road grades in drive cycle assessments. Furthermore, this can be used to ensure that vehicle specifications are realizable in actual route conditions.
