Grant: Automotive Partnership Canada Project

Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREV's) represent a promising new era in automotive transportation. However, EREV's are currently limited by the lack of energy efficient and cost effective heating and cooling systems. Because the thermal management systems are electrically powered, vehicle range is reduced when the heating - ventilation -air - conditioning (HVAC) system is operating. In addition, battery thermal management is critical to the long term cyclic durability ofthe battery system. It is necessary to devise new approaches which significantly reduce the HVAC energy requirements, reduce cost and control battery thermal environment over the widest range ofexternal conditions. This research proposal details a collaborative innovation project between University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOlT) and General Motors of Canada, to advance technology of interlinked thermal management systems (HVAC) and powertrain cooling (PTC) for the next generation ofEREV's. This research will build upon experience gained from the landmark first generation EREV, the Chevrolet Volt, in the areas of performance and durability, cost, and efficiency ofthe thermal management loops, to enable widespread commercialization ofthis technology. The technology development will be focused in related disciplines, including: Battery thermal management systems, thermal management architecture for EREV's, cost reduction in cabin heating, powertrain electronics cooling, condenser radiator fan module configuration, and finally, overall system efficiency improvements through intelligent interconnection and control of normally distinct loops.