VFD based Electric Vehicle with low power consumption and efficient speed control
The automotive industry in Pakistan is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. We already know the condition of air in our country and it is going worse day by day. World air quality report ranked Pakistan as 2nd most polluted country in the world. Global
2025-06-28 16:36:35 - Adil Khan
VFD based Electric Vehicle with low power consumption and efficient speed control
Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject SummaryThe automotive industry in Pakistan is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. We already know the condition of air in our country and it is going worse day by day. World air quality report ranked Pakistan as 2nd most polluted country in the world. Global warming also has emerged as one of the major threats for Pakistan. As well as in the last couple of years, there has been a lot of discussion on increasing the prices of fuel moreover the threat of disruption of supplies from the Middle East has heightened the debate on energy security and brought the focus to alternative drivetrain technologies.
The solution to this problem can be achieved by automobiles such as ELECTRIC Vehicle. As in the case of many other comparable markets, depending upon improved technology, advance safe control, and government incentives.
We want to manufacture an electric vehicle that is low in cost, consume low power, efficient in performance, an electric vehicle that can be quickly charged anywhere and have easy, advance and safe control to drive. VFD based Electric Vehicle with low power consumption and efficient speed control is objected to reducing the consumption of power to carry around about 250KG load by using permanent magnet AC motor (PMAC). The seating capacity of this vehicle is 2 persons.
Project Objectives- Develop a simple plug-in electric vehicle by using a suitable motor and battery
- To conduct testing and performance of PMAC motor to optimize its performance and develop a prototype vehicle followed by motor tests
- To propose and develop a simple control strategy, to decrease the price of an electric vehicle.
- To study the battery cycle life on the payback period.
- To reduce environmental contamination and noise pollution of cars
- To assess the annual saving of gasoline and the reduction of CO2 emission.
The implementation of this project consists of several parts.
Motor selection: The motor selected for this vehicle is permanent magnet AC motor (PMAC) having a 3KW power rating and 3000rpm with 9.8Nm torque.
Designing of VFD controller for motor control: The controller is basically variable frequency derive. Motor speed means vehicle speed can be increased or decrease with it.
Forward and reverse the direction of the vehicle: The motor can be operated to clockwise as well as counterclockwise. In this way the can be moved to forward and reverse direction as per requirement.
Speed control of motor and its testing: the feasibility of the project depends upon its speed control. So motor testing and complete testing, working, and operation of every part is a must.
Design and manufacturing of mechanical part: the mechanical part consists of 2 seating capacity 4 tires powered by rare tires and steering assembly attached to front tires.
Connecting the motor with shaft for soft starting: while starting of motor it gives jerks and achieves the required speed in very minimum time that is very dangerous and may cause an accident. So to remove this hurdle the motor is connected with the shaft which bears its jerks and smooth soft power to the differential of the vehicle.
Selection of solar panels and their testing: The solar plates can give direct power to the vehicle and can also charge the batteries for the night journey of the vehicle.
Assembling the parts of the vehicle: After designing every essential part of the vehicle the parts can be assembled into a luxurious and beneficial electrical vehicle.
Benefits of the ProjectBenefits of the project:
1. An electric vehicle (EV) has a lot less moving parts than a conventional petrol/diesel car. There is relatively little servicing and no expensive exhaust systems, starter motors, fuel injection systems, radiators and many other parts that aren’t needed in an EV.
2. Less pollution: By choosing to drive an EV you are helping to reduce harmful air pollution from exhaust emissions. An EV has zero exhaust emissions.
3. Renewable energy: If you use renewable energy to recharge your EV, you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions even further. You could recharge your EV from your solar PV system during the day instead of from the grid.
4. Eco-friendly materials: There is also a trend towards more eco-friendly production and materials for EVs. The Ford Focus Electric is made up of recycled materials and the padding is made out of bio based materials. The Nissan Leaf’s interior and bodywork are partly made out of green materials such as recycled water bottles, plastic bags, old car parts and even second hand home appliances.
5. Health benefits: Reduced harmful exhaust emissions is good news for our health. Better air quality will lead to less health problems and costs caused by air pollution. EVs are also quieter than petrol/diesel vehicles, which means less noise pollution
6. Safety improvements: Recent findings have shown that several EV features can improve safety. EVs tend to have a lower centre of gravity that makes them less likely to rollover. They can also have a lower risk for major fires or explosions and the body
construction and durability of EVs may make them safer in a collision.
7. Our energy security: On a national level, EVs can help with energy security. EVs are easy to power from local and renewable energy sources, reducing our dependence on foreign oil. There are also better employment benefits.
Our prototype will be a 4 tire electric vehicle with 2 person seating capacity along with a cabin for holding luggage. The vehicle will be capable of bearing 250kg and our main goal is to reduce the consumption of power to carry this load from one place to another.
The speed of this prototype will be almost 60kM/hour and it will be able to cover a distance of 70 km on load with a full charge.
The prototype will be a complete car having 4 tires, front and back suspension system, hydraulic power steering. a permanent magnet AC motor connected with the rear differential will be running the vehicle. A flasher/oscillator circuit attached with the car race paddle will provide input frequency to variable frequency derive that will run the motor.
The specifications are mentioned in the table below.
| Motor power rating | 3KW |
| Seating capacity | 2 persons |
| Car speed | 60km/h |
| Average mileage | 70km with a full charge |
| Torque | 9.8Nm |
| Bearable wait | 250kg |
| Elapsed time in (days or weeks or month or quarter) since start of the project | Milestone | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Motor selection and Testing of motor. Study of speed torque characteristics.Market survey and find different body parts of EV's Differential, Steering Assembly, Car tires, Suspension system. | Selected a feasible motor for EV (Permanent magnet AC motor)Integrate of wholes body parts |
| Month 2 | Design of motor driver, VFD controller.And Flasher / oscillator based throttle. | Make a Dash board in which VFD and oscillator merged (all of controller and vise assembled there) |
| Month 3 | Integration of motor , designed throttle and driver of motor Merge the whole system with frame and test drive. | Fixed motor , controller and battery in frame of EV. Paint car’s body |