Matlab Simulation
Overview
EV range is impacted by many variables. Battery size, vehicle weight and drive cycle are obvious but everything from suspension settings to tire pressure makes a difference.
For our analysis, we started with the default EV simulation provided by Matlab and changed only the transmission so that we could see precisely how much difference Ingear makes.
It is important to note that these results are specific to the default settings of the Matlab simulation. Better or worse results would be expected by changing motors or other variables in the simulation.
If you have access to the Matlab EV simulation software, you can download our simulation instructions yourself and explore how different setting impact performance.
As you would expect, the simulation shows that Ingear makes no difference to energy used for overcoming drag and rolling resistance or energy lost to braking. In this simulation, Ingear improves WLTP performance by 7.1% by reducing transmission and motor losses.
Simulation Results
Improved Range
The simulation shows that the default Matlab EV has 7.1% more range on the WLTP-3 drive cycle with Ingear installed. Note that if 7.1% of the battery weight of a similar-sized production EV is removed from the simulated vehicle, range improves by an additional 1.0%. In practice adding Ingear allows for reduced battery, inverter, motor and suspension weight, increasing range even further.
Improved Acceleration
When in ‘sport mode’, or when the car detects that the driver wants to accelerate quickly, Ingear™ can stay in low gear longer. In this simulation, shifting at 70kph improves acceleration by 3.30%. Highway overtaking and top-speed are also improved.
Choosing gear ratios specifically to improve acceleration would make more dramatic differences. For example, changing the Ingear to a 16:8 gear ratio improves 0-100 kph acceleration by 10.33%, while also improving WLTP-3 range.
Simulation illustrates how a 10:5 gear ratio mostly improves WLTP range, while a 16:8 ratio is better for acceleration (while still improving WLTP range).