Accessory utilization plays a significant role in influencing the overall energy consumption of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). The primary accessories that impact energy use include air conditioning and heating, defrosting systems, and other onboard systems like lights and infotainment.
Key Accessories and Their Impact
- Air Conditioning (AC) and Heating:
- The air conditioner is a major energy consumer in PHEVs. Its operation is often powered by an electric motor, which increases electrical energy consumption. This accessory is commonly used at higher ambient temperatures and for windshield defrosting at lower temperatures.
- While AC is more energy-intensive in warm conditions (about 90% usage above 30°C), its use decreases significantly in colder conditions (nearly 0% below 0°C).
- Heating and Windshield Defrosting:
- Even though heating does not draw power directly from the engine when in electric mode, prolonged heating can deplete the battery faster, forcing the internal combustion engine (ICE) to start sooner and increase fuel consumption.
- Windshield defroster utilization peaks just below 10°C, indicating that it does not draw much power but can still contribute to overall energy consumption.
Overall Impact on Energy Consumption
- Electrical vs. Fuel Consumption: When accessories are used extensively, they can lead to either increased electrical consumption if powered by the electric motor (e.g., AC) or faster depletion of the battery, which may cause the ICE to engage sooner, thereby increasing fuel consumption.
- Efficiency Variations: PHEVs typically optimize energy use by running accessories from the electric system when in electric mode, which can be more efficient than using the ICE for accessory power. However, if the battery is depleted quickly due to accessory use, the ICE’s operation could offset some of these efficiency gains.
In summary, accessory utilization in PHEVs can significantly impact both electrical and fuel consumption by altering the energy distribution between the electric motor and the ICE. Efficient use of accessories, especially in hot or cold conditions, is crucial for optimizing overall energy efficiency.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-accessory-utilization-influence-the-overall-energy-consumption-of-phevs/
