Linear to Circular Economy Innovation in the Automotive Industry
Abstract
The automotive industry is crucial globally, but its increased use of fossil fuels poses environmental challenges. Linear economy vehicles emit more greenhouse gases, while circular economy aims to reduce pollution by redesigning processes and products. This paper explores the construction of an electric vehicle from an existing internal combustion engine, utilizing mechanics principles and fundamental engineering equations from mechanical and electrical analysis. The Toyota Starlet car was converted into an electric vehicle (EV) using four absorbed glass mat (AGM) lead acid batteries and a 48V direct current (DC) motor, with a 48V, 500Amps insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) electronic DC controller and a total capacity of 28.8KWh. It connects via a 5mm mild steel adapter plate and includes an electric booster vacuum pump. The donor vehicle's steering and suspension systems were reused, along with various components like a 48V electric motor controller, charger, brake assist system, coupler, adapter plate, and electronic foot pedal. A 48V DC motor series wound was used, providing torque ranging from 102Nm to 115.8Nm for the EV's wheel. The test resulted in an electric vehicle reaching a maximum speed range of 56-65KWh. Electric vehicles (EVs) offer simplicity, control, and cleanliness, potentially saving internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from extinction or scrapping and preventing global warming. The framework of this circular economy provides a solution for change across the lifecycle of a vehicle, providing the automotive industry a path towards a robust sustainable transportation solution.
References
Abhisek, K., Bim, P.S., Daniel, T., Subbarna, B., Sudip, P. and Bivek, B. (2019). Parameters matching for electric vehicle conversion. Transportation Electrification, 12, 34-42.
Adeel, S., Liu, N., Junjie, H., Iqbal, A., Hayyat, M. A. and Mateen, M. (2020). Modelling of an electric vehicle for tractive force calculation along with factors affecting the total tractive power and energy demand. Energies, 34, 202-210.
Alessandro, S., Giorgio, P., Matteo, D. and Carlo, C. (2018). Electric-vehicle power converter model-based design-for-reliability. Transactions on Power Electronics and Applications, 3(2), 102 – 110.
Amir, A. and Dikki D.B. (2015). Propulsion system design and sizing of an electric vehicle. International Journal of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, 3(1), 102-110.
Amir, G., Hammadi, M., Choley, J., Soriano, T., Abbes, M. and Haddas, M. (2016). Electric vehicle design, modelling and optimization. Journal of Mechanics and Industry, 17, 40-55. doi: 10.1051/Meca/2015095.
Ananchai, U. (2018). Model based system design for electric vehicle conversion. Technology, 62, 76-82
Arun, K. M. (2020). Design and fabrication of a prototype electric vehicle. International Journal of Technology, 12(1), 29-33.
Ashish, A.N. and Rashmi, G.K. (2016). Design and development of electric vehicle battery charging using MIMO boost converter. International Conference on Green Engineering and Technologies (IC- GET) Nov, 2016 Coimbatore, India.
Dixit, M. (2020). Impact of optimal integration of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles in practical distribution feeder with uncertain load demand. International Transportation Electric Energy System, 30(12), 65-72.
Emma-Arfa, G. (2016). Design and assessment of battery electric vehicle powertrain, with respect to performance, energy consumption and electric motor thermal capability. Thesis for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Electric Power Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Goteborg, Sweden.
Erika, P., Valentina, C., Thomas, V. and Marco, S. (2021). Adopting a conversion design approach to maximize the energy density of battery packs in electric vehicles. Journals of Energies,14(7), 1-24
Habib, S., Mohammad, K. and Umar, R. (2015). Impact analysis of vehicle-to-grid technology and charging strategies of electric vehicles on distribution networks – A review. Journal of Power Sources, 277, 205 – 214.
International Energy Agency, (2018). Clean energy ministerial and electric vehicle initiative. IEA, 14, 45-54.
Johanson, N. and HeNriksson, M. (2020). Circular economy running in circles: A discourse analysis of shifts in ideas of circularity in Swedish environmental policy. Sustainable production and consumption, 23, 148-156.
Korhonen, J., Honkasalo, A. and Seppilli, J. (2018). Circular economy: The concept and its limitations. Ecological economics, 143, 37-46
Martins, A.V., Godina, R., Azevedo, S.G. and Carvalho, H. (2021). Towards the development of a model for circularity: The circular car as a case study. Sustainable energy technologies and assessments, 45, 101215. Doi: 10. 1016j.seta.2021.101215.
Mohammad, A., Zamora, R. and Lie, T.T. (2020). Integration of electric vehicles in the distribution network: A review of PV based electric vehicle modelling. Energies, 13(17), 41-45
Nogueira, T., Sousa, E., Alves, G.R. (2022). Electric vehicles growth until 2030: Impact on the distribution network power. The 8th International Conference on energy and environmental research, ICEER 2021, 13-17
Satyendra, M. K. and Shuoad, T. R. (2019). Development scheme and key-Technology of an electric vehicle: An overview. Renewable and sustainable Energy Reviews, 70(c), 1266 – 1285.
Saurabh, C. (2015). Motor torque calculations for electric vehicle. International Journal of Science and Technology Research, 4(8), 63-71.
Seong, H.P., Jeong, J.L. and Young, L. (2016). Development of electric vehicle powertrain: experimental implementation and performance assessment. Eighteenth International Middle East Power Systems Conference (MEPCON). Cairo, Egypt.
Srinivasa, K. J. and Sudharshan, V. (2017). Design and fabrication of self-charging electric vehicle. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 6(9), 18024- 18032.
