Introduction
Although vehicles have provided convenience to humans, they have also caused severe environmental issues and raised concerns regarding energy. The recent development of electric vehicles (EVs) has alleviated this problem [1]. One of the main factors that restrict the development of EVs is the limited driving range. An effective solution to this problem is maximizing the energy utilization efficiency of EVs to extend their driving range because EVs are limited by the current capacity of energy storage devices and electric driving systems. As a key technology for EVs, regenerative braking has been utilized in various types of EVs, hybrid EVs (HEVs), and plug-in HEVs [2,3]. The regenerative braking system based on single-pedal control was developed and applied to EVs to further improve mature conventional regenerative braking systems and their energy recovery rate.
Most vehicles are driven between downtowns and suburbs. Considering current traffic conditions, vehicles should be driven slowly, and brakes must be frequently applied [4]. Figure 1 shows the braking strength distribution for the major urban driving cycles (US06, NYCC and LA92 are marked in red, 10-15 MODE, FTP75, HWFET and UDDS are marked in green, NEDC and WLTP are marked in blue), the bold black line is the powertrain limits of Lupo EL. As can be seen from the figure, the maximum braking strength of more than 90% driving cycles is less than 0.2, and 74% of which is less than 0.1. The braking force required in a low-intensity braking condition is also small so that the proportion of regenerative braking in the entire braking process can be enhanced, which is beneficial for energy recovery [5]. The energy generated during braking cannot be fully recovered, and a portion of it is lost in air as heat. A considerable amount of braking energy can be recovered while driving in cities [6].
International research has shown that 90% of daily driving can be achieved by a single pedal, and the reserved brake pedal is for emergency braking only [7]. This feature considerably reduces the driver’s frequency of switching pedals, especially during traffic jams and downtown commute, and thus makes driving easy. In addition, single-pedal control can maximize the energy recovery rate and extend the driving range [8]. The BMW i3 is the first vehicle equipped with the single-pedal control system, which was introduced in 2012. Deceleration can be achieved by releasing the accelerator pedal, and the single pedal can carry out almost all of driving and braking as long as the driver maintains appropriate operation [9]. Another example is the Nissan Leaf, which features an e-pedal button. The driver can choose from a selection of driving modes according to the current traffic condition. For example, the traditional driving mode should be selected during high-speed, long-distance drive to help avoid foot fatigue caused by long-term deep pedaling on the accelerator pedal. The single-pedal driving mode should be selected when driving in crowded urban places because it considerably reduces the frequency of pedal switching and makes driving easy. Driving style is also crucial to vehicle energy efficiency and ride comfort. Aside from enhancing adaptation to various traffic conditions, the two driving modes also improve economic feasibility and driving performance [10–12]. The all-new Chevrolet Bolt is equipped with four driving modes. Specifically, two control modes that feature single-pedal and paddle control are available under Drive/Low. Drivers can flexibly choose from different driving modes depending on their driving needs, and this selection greatly enhances driving pleasure [13]. Driving on busy roads, the Bolt features a single-pedal control system with a mileage capacity that is approximately 5% larger than that of vehicles using the conventional regenerative braking system. Major domestic auto corporations have introduced EVs with the single-pedal control system. The latest EVs, such as Geely Emgrand EV450, BAIC EU5, and JAC iEVA50, are equipped with the single-pedal control system. Notably, this system cannot completely replace the conventional brake pedal because mechanical braking is still necessary during emergencies.
The remainder of the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 theoretically analyzes single-pedal control based on the energy conservation law, vehicle braking dynamics, and regenerative braking system. A single-pedal control strategy is developed, and a single-pedal control model is established in Section 3. Co-simulation is conducted, and its results are evaluated in Section 4. A dynamometer test is performed, and its results are analyzed in Section 5. Section 6 provides the conclusions.
Single-pedal control research foundation
Construction of the single-pedal system
In the single-pedal control system, a conventional accelerator pedal is used to control motor torque. Driving and braking torques are positive and negative, respectively. The magnitude and direction of motor torque are related to single-pedal travel. A vehicle accelerates or decelerates when the driver steps on or releases the accelerator pedal, respectively. The single-pedal control system is usually applied in pure EVs or HEVs. As shown in Fig. 2, the single-pedal system combines the accelerator and brake pedals, and regenerative braking is controlled by the accelerator pedal.
As shown in Fig. 3, the construction of the single-pedal system is identical to that of the traditional regenerative braking system. However, the single-pedal system requires less hardware adjustment, and most of the work is directed toward strategy development and software upgrade. Driving and regenerative braking torques are dynamically allocated by the vehicle control unit (VCU) according to vehicle velocity, accelerator pedal travel, and single-pedal control strategy. A motor control unit (MCU) controls the inverter to convert the motor from driving mode to generating mode. Most of the regenerative braking energy is fed back to the power battery for charging [14–16]. In certain emergency situations, the regenerative braking torque cannot meet the vehicle braking demand. The traditional mechanical braking system is still necessary and must work together with the regenerative braking system to ensure reliability and safety when braking [17].
Theoretical analysis of regenerative braking
Energy cannot be generated or dissipated. It can only be converted from one form to another or transferred from one object to another. The sum of energy is always the same. The law of energy conservation, one of the basic laws in nature, also applies to regenerative braking [18].
In the single-pedal mode, deceleration and braking are completely performed by the motor, and no mechanical brake system is involved. Total braking force Fb pertains to regenerative braking force Frb. Resistance Fd (flat road, regardless of slope resistance) during the regenerative braking process includes rolling resistance Ff, air resistance Fw, and regenerative braking force Frb.
where m denotes the vehicle mass and a represents the vehicle acceleration.
Overcoming the resistance when braking is necessary. The instantaneous braking power of EV Pd can be denoted by the equationwhere u is the vehicle’s velocity.
The total energy required to overcome braking force, Wd, is as follows:where S is the braking distance, t is the time of driving or braking, Ef is the energy consumed to overcome rolling resistance, Ew is the energy consumed to overcome air resistance, and Erb is the energy consumed to overcome the regenerative braking force.
The velocity when braking at initial time t0 is assumed to be u0, and the velocity at braking ending time t1 is u1. According to the kinetic energy theorem, the total energy consumed during the braking process, DE, can be calculated as follows:where E0 is the kinetic energy at the beginning of braking and E1 is the kinetic energy at the end of braking.
According to the law of energy conservation, the energy consumed during the braking process of EVs is completely used to overcome resistance, which is denoted as follows:
The energy consumed to overcome the regenerative braking force during the braking process can be derived through
In consideration of generating efficiency, the actual braking energy recovered, Egen, can be expressed as follows:where hgen is the generating efficiency.
Single-pedal control strategy
The traditional regenerative braking control strategy is relatively simple. Within a certain range, the regenerative braking torque is proportional to the brake pedal travel. When the energy recovery level is selected, the regenerative braking strength is fixed. Typically, the regenerative braking torque is set small to ensure drivability, which leading to lower energy recovery rate [19,20]. By contrast, the single-pedal control strategy is relatively complicated but highly aligned with ergonomics. Acceleration or deceleration can be achieved only when the driver steps on or releases the accelerator pedal, respectively. When the demand for deceleration is high, the brake pedal needs to be stepped on. Single-pedal control can reduce the frequency of pedal shifting, thereby providing the driver with improved driving experience. EVs equipped with the single-pedal control system have a high energy recovery rate, and their regenerative braking deceleration is large and controllable. In terms of hardware, the single pedal serves as the conventional accelerator pedal. In terms of software, single-pedal control can achieve the full function of the accelerator pedal and most of the functions of the brake pedal. Figure 4 shows the two control strategies.
Driving condition analysis
Recovery, coasting and acceleration in the single pedal mode correspond to negative torque, zero torque and positive torque of the motor, respectively. According to the calibration result of the BMW i3, single-pedal travel is allocated roughly according to recovery (0%–30%), coasting (30%–35%), and acceleration (35%–100%), and it varies with vehicle velocity. Pedal travel allocation is shown in Table 1, where A, C, and R represent acceleration, coasting, and recovery, respectively.
Tab.1 Single-pedal travel allocation varying with different vehicle velocity (in km/h) |
| Pedal travel | Driving and braking conditions | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 | 120 | |
| 0% | C | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| 5% | A | C | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| 10% | A | A | C | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| 15% | A | A | A | C | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| 20% | A | A | A | A | C | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| 25% | A | A | A | A | A | C | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| 30% | A | A | A | A | A | A | C | C | C | C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 35% | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | C | C | C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 40% | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 60% | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| 80% | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Max | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
As shown in Table 1, driving and braking conditions under single-pedal control can be divided into the following modes:
1) Acceleration
The brake pedal should be released, and the accelerator pedal must be lightly stepped on. If the accelerator pedal is greater than 0, then the positive motor torque will become the output for acceleration. Accelerator pedal travel of 35% corresponds to the maximum velocity of 7 km/h. The corresponding maximum velocity increases linearly with pedal travel at the range of 0%–35%. Acceleration under low velocity (v≤7 km/h) replaces the creep function of conventional vehicles and mainly helps the vehicle start. The powertrain linearly outputs drive torque when the accelerator pedal travel is greater than 35%. Each accelerator pedal travel has an acceleration curve.
2) Coasting
No motor torque output is present when the vehicle velocity is greater than 7 km/h and the accelerator pedal travel is at the range of 30%–35%. The vehicle travels a long distance under the influence of inertia when coasting, which is equal to the vehicle driving at neutral gear. The braking force is zero when coasting. Hence, coasting deceleration acoast can be denoted as follows:
3) Energy recovery
When deceleration or braking is required, the driver can adjust the accelerator pedal travel to within 0%–30% according to road conditions to achieve different regenerative braking strengths. The maximum deceleration is set to 0.2g, which is achieved when the accelerator pedal travel is 0%. For about every 5% of pedal travel, deceleration is reduced by 0.03g. The energy recovery intensity should be reduced from 7 km/h, and the velocity at which energy recovery is exited completely varies with pedal travel (energy recovery is exited completely at 6 km/h when accelerator pedal travel reaches 30%; energy recovery is exited completely at 0 km/h when accelerator pedal travel is 0%). When the brake pedal is stepped on, the regenerative braking force remains constant, and only mechanical braking force is superimposed. Vehicle decelerations at different accelerator pedal travels vary with velocity, as shown in Fig. 5.
The regenerative braking force of the motor can be derived as follows:
The deceleration generated by regenerative braking force aregen can be described as follows:where g is gravitational acceleration, f is the rolling resistance coefficient, CD denotes the drag coefficient, A refers to the windward area, and r is the air density.
The vehicle deceleration generated by coasting resistance and regenerative braking force should be constant before the energy recovery starts to exit so that the deceleration generated by the regenerative braking force decreases with the increase in velocity, as shown in Fig. 6.
4) Parking
The vehicle comes to a full stop under regenerative braking force and coasting resistance when the accelerator pedal is completely released. The driver needs to adapt to the single-pedal mode gradually because its coasting distance is much shorter than that of the traditional mode. If necessary, the brake pedal can be stepped on to assist in parking, which is convenient for accurate parking.
Control strategy modeling
A simulation model is built in accordance with the single-pedal control strategy [21]. The inputs are vehicle velocity, battery state of charge (SoC), accelerator pedal travel, and motor speed, and the output is the load signal of motor. Figure 7 demonstrates the model of the single-pedal control strategy. The controller uses an ode4 (Runge-Kutta) solver with a fixed step. A fixed step size (fundamental sample time) of 0.05 s is utilized for the simulation.
Figure 8 depicts the single-pedal control flow. The request motor torque is obtained using the look-up table method in accordance with vehicle velocity and accelerator pedal travel. The maximum motor torque is obtained based on motor speed, and the maximum charging power is derived based on battery SoC. The request torque is further modified after considering the abovementioned limitations. Then, the vehicle is driven or the brakes are applied under the action of the resultant force. Simulink is used to calculate the torque demand, and the vehicle dynamic process is simulated with Cruise.
Simulation and evaluation
Performance evaluation index
Braking efficiency
The most basic evaluation index of braking performance is braking efficiency, which refers to the braking distance or deceleration while the vehicle brakes on a flat road at a certain initial velocity [25].
1) Braking deceleration
Braking deceleration reflects the amount of ground braking force. Instantaneous deceleration is complicated and changeable. Hence, the automotive industry uses average deceleration , which is calculated as follows:where t1 is the time at which the brake pressure reaches 75% of the maximum pressure and t2 is 2/3 of the brake ending time.
2) Braking distance
Braking distance pertains to the distance from when the brake pedal is stepped on initially to the moment when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. It consists of the distances that the vehicle has traveled during two phases, namely, brake response and continuous braking.
where is the brake response time, is the continuous braking time, s1 is the braking distance at brake response time, s2 is the braking distance at continuous braking time, and abmax refers to the maximum braking deceleration.
Energy recovery effect
The ultimate goal of this study on the single-pedal control strategy is to improve the energy recovery rate and extend the driving range of EVs [26]. Energy recovery rate and driving range are selected as evaluation indexes to analyze the energy recovery effect.
1) Energy recovery rate
Energy recovery rate hr is the ratio of energy recovered in braking process to the energy consumed in the entire driving cycle.
where Ek and Eb are the energy consumed by driving and braking, respectively.
2) Driving range
Driving range L is the distance that EVs are able to drive from full charge until the battery runs out.
where E1 and E2 denote the initial energy of the battery and energy recovered by the regenerative braking system, respectively, W is the energy consumed by the entire driving cycle, and Scycle is the range of a single driving cycle.
Co-simulation
The vehicle simulation model is built according to the construction of EVs. Forward simulation is similar to the actual driving state and can reflect the dynamic performance of each component. Forward simulation has high precision and is suitable for the analysis of the control strategy [27]. Tables 2 and 3 provide the basic parameters of the vehicle and the performance parameters of the powertrain, respectively.
Tab.2 Basic parameters of the vehicle |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| (Length × width × height)/mm | 4337 × 1825 × 1637 |
| Wheelbase/mm | 2560 |
| Curb mass m/kg | 1667 |
| Rolling resistance coefficient f | 0.008 |
| Windward A/m2 | 2.54 |
| Final ratio i0 | 9.07 |
| Wind resistance coefficient CD | 0.32 |
| Tire specification | 215/55 R18 |
Tab.3 Performance parameters of the powertrain |
| Component | Parameter | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Capacity/(kW·h) | 52 |
| Nominal voltage/V | 350 | |
| SoC working range | 5%–95% | |
| Motor | Rated and peak speed/(r·min−1) | 4340, 12000 |
| Rated and peak power/kW | 50, 120 | |
| Rated and peak torque/(N·m) | 110, 240 | |
| Auxiliary | Average power/W | 200 |
The single-pedal control strategy is embedded into the vehicle simulation model in the form of a Matlab DLL module, and conventional brake conditions and urban driving cycles are selected for co-simulation. Figure 9 displays the simulation model. The accelerator pedal signal is outputted from the cockpit and processed by the control strategy. Then, the load signal of the motor is outputted. The power passes through the battery, motor, and powertrain (including the final drive, gearbox, and differential) in turn and finally reaches the wheel.
Conventional brake conditions
Safety should be ensured when braking at different velocities and braking strengths [28]. In accordance with urban traffic conditions, initial braking velocities of 30 and 60 km/h are selected. The accelerator pedal is fully released at the initial braking velocity. Figures 10 and 11 provide the simulation results. Braking deceleration meets the braking requirements, and the braking distance meets the safety requirements. When the vehicle velocity is higher than 7 km/h, the regenerative braking torque of the motor gradually increases with the decrease in vehicle velocity. However, when the vehicle velocity is lower than 7 km/h, the regenerative braking torque of the motor rapidly decreases to zero with the decrease in vehicle velocity. The braking process is consistent with the single-pedal control strategy.
Table 4 shows the energy recovery when braking at initial vehicle velocities of 30 and 60 km/h. The higher the velocity is, the larger the recovered energy is and the higher the energy recovery efficiency is.
Tab.4 Regenerative braking simulation under conventional braking conditions |
| Initial braking velocity/(km·h‒1) | Braking energy/kJ | Recovered energy/kJ | Energy recovery efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 64.97 | 51.98 | 80.01% |
| 60 | 251.45 | 218.70 | 86.98% |
Urban driving cycle
Simulation under driving cycles can fully reflect the energy recovery during the actual driving of EVs [29]. Velocity is low and braking is frequent when vehicles are driving in urban areas with serious traffic congestion. Therefore, the energy recovery in urban driving cycles is better than that in high-speed conditions. New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) is the most representative urban driving cycle. Vehicle fuel consumption identified by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China is obtained via testing under NEDC. By contrast, the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC) has a longer test period and higher average velocity than NEDC, and it is highly similar to actual driving situations. Its wider velocity range is more stringent for vehicle performance. WLTC will become the national standard driving cycle for energy consumption testing of EVs in the near future. For these reasons, NEDC and WLTC are selected for the simulation to verify the single-pedal control strategy.
Simulations are conducted in a single driving cycle at an initial battery SoC of 95% (Figs. 12 and 13). The velocity simulation results are shown in Figs. 12(a) and 13(a). The actual velocity follows the target velocity well, which indicates that the simulation model is reliable. Figures 12(b) and 13(b) show the motor responses to the driving cycle, where the driving and braking torques are positive and negative, respectively. The simulation results show that driving and braking can be achieved by the single pedal, which indicates that the single-pedal control strategy is effective.
Simulations are conducted in a single driving cycle at an initial battery SoC of 95%. Figure 14 presents the variations in battery SoC with driving cycles under different control strategies. The rise represents brake and charge, and the descent represents drive and discharge. The slope represents the rate of charge and discharge. The battery SoC of EVs equipped with the single-pedal control system displays the slowest declines and remains the highest at the end of the simulation. This finding indicates that energy consumed in the entire driving cycle is minimal, and the vehicle economy is optimal.
Simulations are conducted under driving cycles starting with a battery SoC of 95% and ending with a battery SoC of 5%.
Table 5 provides the simulation results obtained by using different control strategies under NEDC. The driving range of EVs with the single-pedal control system is extended by 63.29 km. The energy recovery rate of single-pedal control is as high as 26.12%, which is 152.12% and 40.20% higher than that of parallel regenerative braking and series regenerative braking, respectively.
Tab.5 Comparison of energy recovery using different control strategies under NEDC |
| Control strategy | Driving range/km | Total energy consumption/kJ | Recovered energy/kJ | Recovery rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No RBS | 256.32 | 126497 | – | – |
| Parallel | 279.24 | 137699 | 14259 | 10.36% |
| Series | 299.23 | 148014 | 27576 | 18.63% |
| Single-pedal | 319.61 | 158269 | 41340 | 26.12% |
Table 6 depicts the simulation results obtained using different control strategies under WLTC. The driving range of the EV with the single-pedal control system is extended by 51.72 km. The energy recovery rate of single-pedal control is as high as 20.77%, which is 137.10% and 35.31% higher than that of parallel regenerative braking and series regenerative braking, respectively.
Tab.6 Comparison of energy recovery using different control strategies under WLTC |
| Control strategy | Driving range/km | Total energy consumption/kJ | Recovered energy/kJ | Recovery rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No RBS | 220.71 | 156628 | – | – |
| Parallel | 241.60 | 171095 | 14994 | 8.76% |
| Series | 259.04 | 183809 | 28206 | 15.35% |
| Single-pedal | 272.43 | 195275 | 40554 | 20.77% |
The energy recovery of single-pedal control, including traditional regenerative braking, enables EVs with the single-pedal control system to have a higher energy recovery rate, lower electricity consumption, longer driving range, and better power economy than EVs without such a system.
Dynamometer test
Test conditions and preparation
1) Environment
The test environment affects the test results. Hence, the following conditions should be met: temperature between 0 °C and 40 °C, humidity less than 85%, and air pressure between 80 and 110 MPa.
2) Equipment
The following equipment are required for the test: EV, computer, data acquisition equipment CANalyzer, and chassis dynamometer.
3) Tester preparation
The chassis dynamometer should meet inspection standards. Before testing, the moving parts should be inspected and debugged according to the instruction manual to ensure that they are in good condition. The chassis dynamometer should be driven by the test vehicle for 10 to 30 min so that the moving parts reach the normal operating temperature.
4) Vehicle preparation
The test vehicle should meet the manufacturer’s technical standards. Before testing, each component should be inspected thoroughly to ensure safety. The test vehicle should be preheated for 5 min to reach the normal operating temperature, and the single-pedal control strategy should be burned into the VCU.
Test and result analysis
Vehicle with single-pedal control system is simulated under NEDC using the chassis dynamometer, and the CANalyzer is used to collect the test data. Vehicle dynamic information is displayed and played back in real time on the computer. Figures 15 and 16 show the dynamometer test and data acquisition, respectively.
Figure 17 presents the dynamometer test results, which include the accelerator pedal travel, vehicle velocity, and motor torque. When the accelerator pedal is stepped on, positive motor torque is outputted to drive the vehicle. When the accelerator pedal is released, the motor torque quickly changes from positive to negative, and the negative regenerative braking torque decelerates the vehicle. The shape of the accelerator pedal travel signal is nearly identical to that of the motor torque signal, indicating that the motor can respond accurately and rapidly. The vehicle velocity signal lags behind the motor torque signal due to the torque transmission and vehicle response.
Table 7 provides the dynamometer test data on driving range and energy recovery. Unlike in the simulation results, the driving range is reduced by 7.58 km (2.37%), and the braking energy recovery rate is reduced by 0.48% (1.84%). However, both results are within the allowable error range (5%). Comparison of the simulation results with the test data indicates that the developed single-pedal simulation model is reliable, and the proposed single-pedal control strategy is effective.
Tab.7 Comparison of simulation and test data on energy recovery |
| NEDC | Driving range/km | Consumed energy/kJ | Recovered energy/kJ | Energy recovery rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simulation | 319.61 | 158269 | 41340 | 26.12% |
| Test | 312.03 | 158812 | 40722 | 25.64% |
Conclusions
A single-pedal control strategy is proposed to improve the energy recovery rate and extend the driving range of EVs. The energy recovery capability is analyzed theoretically according to the construction of the single-pedal system, vehicle braking dynamics, and law of energy conservation. The single-pedal control strategy is developed based on daily driving situations, and a single-pedal simulation model is established. Conventional braking conditions and urban driving cycles are selected for the simulation, and a dynamometer test is conducted for verification. After analyzing the simulation results and test data, the following conclusions are obtained.
1) Conventional braking conditions are selected for the simulation of braking performance. The simulation results show that the braking deceleration of the EV with the single-pedal control system meets the vehicle braking requirements, and the braking distance meets braking safety regulations. Vehicle safety can be guaranteed under single-pedal control.
2) Urban driving cycles are selected for the simulation of energy recovery. The simulation results under NEDC and WLTC show that the energy recovery rates are as high as 26.12% and 20.77%, and the driving ranges are extended by 63.29 and 51.72 km, respectively. The application of the single-pedal control system to EVs can effectively improve the energy recovery rate and extend the driving range.
3) A dynamometer test is conducted under NEDC. The comparison of the test data and simulation results shows that the driving range is reduced by 7.58 km, and energy recovery rate is reduced by 0.48%. Both values are within the allowable error range, which verifies the effectiveness of the single-pedal control strategy and the reliability of the simulation model. The test is specifically prepared for engineering applications of the single-pedal control system.
In future studies, advanced control theories, such as neural networks and group intelligence algorithms, could be applied to the energy recovery control strategy. Adaptive learning of driving habits and automatic recognition of braking intentions could be achieved. Thus, driving and braking could be controlled with increased coordination.