Quantitative analysis of factors contributing to driving range degradation of battery electric vehicles

Driving range degradation is a critical issue limiting the wide promotion and application of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Quantifying the impact of various factors on the driving range by analyzing vehicle energy flow is of vital significance for developing improvement technologies to alleviate driving range degradation of BEVs, which is not addressed in previous studies. In this study, a whole-vehicle energy model is established to simulate the energy flow and driving range of BEVs under different ambient temperatures and driving cycles for quantitative analysis of the various factors (including battery output, thermal management energy consumption, and net driving energy consumption rate) contributing to driving range degradation. The results indicate that the driving range under WLTC (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle) is reduced by 53.1 km compared to CLTC-P (China Light-duty Vehicle Test Cycle for Passenger Cars) at 25 degrees C, which is mainly caused by the increased net energy consumption rate for vehicle driving. Besides, under CLTC-P, the increased thermal management energy consumption leads to a driving range degradation of 79.7 km, 102.2 km, 116.1 km, and 139.0 km at 32 degrees C, 35 degrees C, 38 degrees C, and 42 degrees C, respectively. Moreover, the driving range degradation percentage under CLTC-P at -7 degrees C is 45.9 %, of which 16.0 % is caused by the reduced battery net output energy and 28.5 % is caused by the increased thermal management energy consumption. The investigation provides theoretical support and data basis for the research and development of driving range extension technologies and strategies of BEVs.