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TSFS03 - Vehicle Propulsion Systems - 6 hp - VT 2 2026

General Information

Course Material

  • Vehicle Propulsion Systems - Introduction to Modeling and Optimization, (2013) Lino Guzzella and Antonio Sciarretta, 3 Edition, Springer Verlag.
  • The compendium for the projects is available for download.
  • Templates are provided for project reports and can be downloaded here (Project 1, Project 2, Project 3).
  • The guidlines mentioned in here should be followed throughout the course.
  • A mini crash-course with Matlab tips can be found here

Course outline

This course treats the longitudinal behavior of road vehicles and gives a framework for analyzing and optimizing the energy consumption. Both traditional and new hybrid powertrain configurations are treated. Realistic mathematical models are developed for the components and they are compiled to complete vehicle systems that are analyzed and used to develop optimized energy management strategies.

Several case studies are used to exemplify the methodology and show the principles and challenges associated with analyzing and optimizing complex powertrains.

Learning outcome

A course participant should after the course:

  • have knowledge about traditional and hybrid powertrain configurations.
  • be able to identify and enumerate different hybrid drive system configurations.
  • be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages with different hybrid configurations.
  • have received training in analyzing complex powertrains focusing on the perspective of energy efficient ground vehicle propulsion.
  • have knowledge about tools for energy optimization of complex powertrains.
  • experience in using tools for energy optimization.

Lectures

The lecture series follows, to a large extent, the presentation in the Vehicle Propulsion Systems book and much attention is given to the analysis and discussion of the Case studies. The table below gives a preliminary schedule for the lectures, and the H-I indicate approximate positions of when the background material for the project problems has been treated in the lectures. There can be minor changes to the contents on the lectures, but there are no major changes planned, compared to previous years lecture 6 and 7 have switched order. Slides for the lecture series will be posted on OH-page as soon as they are finished.

H-I / Lecture  Chapter  Description
1 1, 2 Course information and introduction. General emissions and energy resources. Basic concepts.
2 2, 3 Energy System Overview. Basic concepts for energy consumption in drive cycles. IC engine based propulsion systems.
3 3, 8.1 IC engine based propulsion systems. Case study 1: Gear ratio optimization. Available tools: Advisor, QSS, & SimCenter
H-I 1 1–3 Project 1: Energy consumption estimation.
4 4  Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles.
5 9, 10 Optimization, Optimal control, Dynamic Programming.
H-I 2 1–4, 9 Project 2: Optimal control of Parallel and Series Hybrid.
6 7, 8.4 Supervisory control. Case study 4: Supervisory Control for a Parallel HEV.
H-I 3 1–8 Project 3: ECMS-based control for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle.
7 5, 8.3, 8.8 Short term storage systems. Case study 3: Optimization of a flywheel powertrain. Case study 8: Pneumatic hybrid engine.
H-I 4 1–8 Project 4: Hybrid vehicle with short term storage systems, and supervisory control.
8 6.2 Fuel-cell overview and basic models describing performance.
H-I 5 2-4, 6 Project 5: Modeling and fuel consumption calculations of a FCHEV.
9 8.6 Case study 6: Fuel optimal control for Racing FCEV.
10 Guest lecturer, summary  

Examination: Projects

The course is examined and graded based on Projects that are done in pairs. Details concerning the examination requirements are given in the document that describes the Projects.

There is a mandatory set of tasks that have to be completed for pass (grade 3). Then there is a set of extra tasks that through a point system can give higher grades (4 or 5).

In total there are five project assigments, where only the first three have mandatory parts. The basic contents of the Projects and the hand in deadlines are:

  1. Energy requirement of a driving mission. Fuel consumption analysis of conventional cars. A first implementation of the different tools that are used for fuel consumption analysis.
    • To be handed in at the latest: April 22
  2. Optimal driving trajectories for parallel and series hybrid cars, the problem is solved using dynamic programming. Another interesting scenario is the optimal speed trajectories of a heavy truck in up- and down-hill driving.
    • To be handed in at the latest: May 07.
  3. ECMS-control of a parallel hybrid vehicle.
    • To be handed in at the latest: May 21.

Extra Projects for Higher Grades

  1. Control strategies and fuel consumption optimization of a car with short term storage. Implementation and analysis of a modified existing vehicle model with short-term storage to minimize fuel consumption and all other Extra Tasks.
    • To be handed in at the latest: June 11.
  2. Fuel Cell and Supervisory Control. Implementation and analysis of a fuel cell electrical vehicle and all other Extra Tasks.
    • To be handed in at the latest: June 11.



The final deadline for submission of all mandatory assignments is June 11th, if you want your grades to be reported for this semester and put on Ladok. Note that there is no guarantee that we can give feedback on assignments after that date until the next year when the course is given again.

Downloads

The files needed for the projects are found under the links below. Frequently asked questions and updates to the Projects will also be included there.