Impact of lightweighting and driving conditions on electric vehicle energy consumption: In-depth analysis using real-world testing and simulation

Electric vehicles have limited driving range due to the restricted battery capacity, making it essential to enhance energy efficiency. Traditionally, energy consumption can be reduced by lightweighting or moderating acceleration and deceleration. However, unlike conventional vehicles that use friction braking, electric vehicles recover energy through regenerative braking. Therefore, it is important to understand how factors like vehicle weight, acceleration, and road gradient affect energy consumption in electric vehicles. This study conducted real-world driving tests by adjusting vehicle weight to analyze the impact of lightweighting on energy consumption. Simulations were also used to analyze various acceleration and road gradients, enabling a quantitative assessment of energy consumption at both wheel and battery levels. Results showed that a 15 % increase in vehicle weight caused a 4-9 % rise in wheel energy consumption. Although this is smaller than what is typically observed in conventional vehicles, it is still significant. Changes in acceleration and road gradient had minimal effects on wheel energy consumption but significantly impacted battery energy use. Doubling the acceleration in the UDDS and WLTP cycles reduced energy efficiency by 20.8 % and 12.7 %, respectively. This study provides key insights for improving electric vehicle energy efficiency and offers valuable guidance for advancing electric vehicle technology.