Applying novel low cost electrical machine and power electronic topologies to Range Extenders

Currently, battery technology represents the major bottleneck to widespread uptake of electric vehicles. Range Extender devices, which combine an internal combustion engine with a generator, provide a vital medium-term solution to reducing tailpipe emissions and facilitate the transition to an electric vehicle infrastructure. There is an industry-wide trend towards faster motor speed, driven by targets from the US Department of Energy and the wider electric vehicle market. These high-speed motors typically perform poorly in the low-speed usage typical of range extenders and a bespoke solution is therefore required in order to reduce vehicle cost as far as possible. This project aims to lower the cost of Range Extenders by using novel, polymer-bonded Halbach generator construction, together with automation of the design optimisation process using a software-driven approach.