Electric and Conventional Vehicles from edX

Electric powertrains are estimated to propel a large part of road vehicles in the future, due to their high efficiency and zero tailpipe emissions. But, the cost and weight of batteries and the time to charge them are arguments for the conventional powertrain in many vehicles. This makes it important for engineers working with vehicles to understand how both these powertrains work, and how to determine their performance and energy consumption for different type of vehicles and different ways of driving vehicles.

This course is aimed at learners with a bachelor's degree or engineers in the automotive industry who need to develop their knowledge about electric powertrains.

In this course, you will learn how electric and conventional combustion engine powertrains are built and how they work. You will learn methods to calculate their performance and energy consumption and how to simulate them in different driving cycles. You will also learn about the basic function, the main limits and the losses of:

Combustion engines,
Transmissions
Electric machines,
Power electronics
Batteries.

This knowledge will also be a base for understanding and analysing different types of hybrid vehicles, discussed in the course, Hybrid Vehicles.As a result of support from MathWorks, students will be granted access to MATLAB/Simulink for the duration of the course.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Formulate vehicle performance requirements
Translate vehicle requirements to powertrain requirements
Sizing powertrain components

Strengths and weaknesses of electric and conventional powertrains
Driving cycle simulation
Determine electricity- or fuel consumption of different powertrains

Formulate vehicle performance requirements
Translate vehicle requirements to powertrain requirements
Sizing powertrain components
Strengths and weaknesses of electric and conventional powertrains
Driving cycle simulation
Determine electricity- or fuel consumption of different powertrains

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds upon prior knowledge of electric powertrains

Develops skills necessary to analyze different types of hybrid vehicles

Taught by Sven Andersson and Anders Grauers, who are recognized for their work in electric powertrains

Provides access to MATLAB/Simulink for the duration of the course thanks to support from MathWorks

Examines the strengths and weaknesses of electric and conventional powertrains

Develops strong foundation for understanding innovation and groundbreaking topics in electric powertrains

Reviews summary

In-depth intro to elec & conventional vehicles

According to students, this brilliant introductory course is highly recommended for those in the field of study. The course is largely positive and well received for its in-depth explanations and detailed reviews throughout the lessons.

The course provides clear and detailed explanations.

"The explanation is very progressive and everything is explained in detail..."

"and reviewed many times."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Electric and Conventional Vehicles with these activities:

Review Basic Electricity and Thermodynamics

Show steps

Renew foundational concepts crucial to understanding electric powertrains.

Browse courses on Electricity

Show steps

Review concepts like Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Laws, and power calculations.
Revisit the Laws of Thermodynamics, specifically the First and Second Laws.
Consider real-world applications of these principles in the context of powertrains.

Explore MATLAB/Simulink Tutorials

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with the tools essential for simulating powertrain performance.

Show steps

Work through beginner tutorials provided by MathWorks on MATLAB and Simulink.
Experiment with basic simulations to understand the interface and functionality.
Apply these tools to solve simple powertrain-related problems.

Engage in Discussion Forums and Q&A

Show steps

Collaborate with peers to clarify concepts, share insights, and troubleshoot understanding.

Show steps

Actively participate in discussion forums provided by the course platform.
Ask questions and respond to queries from other learners.
Engage in respectful and constructive discussions to enhance collective understanding.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Solve Powertrain Performance Problems

Show steps

Reinforce concepts by applying them to practical scenarios.

Show steps

Attempt practice problems provided in the course materials or find additional problems online.
Calculate powertrain performance metrics like efficiency, torque, and emissions.
Analyze results and identify areas for improvement.

Write a Summary of Powertrain Types

Show steps

Solidify understanding by creating a concise overview of the different powertrain options.

Show steps

Research and gather information on electric, combustion engine, and hybrid powertrains.
Organize the information into a well-structured summary.
Highlight key differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each type.

Read 'Electric Vehicle Technology and Engineering'

Show steps

Gain in-depth knowledge of electric vehicle powertrains from a comprehensive reference.

View Electric Vehicle Technology Explained on Amazon

Show steps

Review the chapters on electric motors, batteries, and power electronics.
Focus on understanding the principles and operation of these components in electric powertrains.
Relate the book's content to the concepts covered in the course.

Design and Simulate an Electric Powertrain

Show steps

Apply course concepts to a real-world project, enhancing practical skills.

Show steps

Define the specifications and requirements for an electric powertrain.
Select appropriate components and design the powertrain architecture.
Utilize MATLAB/Simulink to simulate the performance of the designed powertrain.
Analyze results, identify potential issues, and propose improvements.

Career center

Learners who complete Electric and Conventional Vehicles will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Automotive Engineer

Automotive Engineers are responsible for the development and design of motor vehicles, including the electric and combustion powertrains that are the subject of this course. They collaborate with other engineers to design and build prototypes, and test and evaluate new vehicles. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to analyze the performance and energy consumption of different powertrains, which is crucial for designing efficient vehicles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Engineer

Vehicle Dynamics Engineer

Vehicle Dynamics Engineers are responsible for analyzing and improving the handling and stability of vehicles. They collaborate with other engineers to design and build prototypes, and test and evaluate new vehicles. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to analyze the performance and energy consumption of different powertrains, which is crucial for understanding the overall dynamics of a vehicle.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vehicle Dynamics Engineer

Powertrain Engineer

Powertrain Engineers are responsible for designing and developing the powertrain systems of vehicles, including the electric and combustion powertrains that are the subject of this course. They collaborate with other engineers to design and build prototypes, and test and evaluate new powertrain systems. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to analyze the performance and energy consumption of different powertrains, which is crucial for designing efficient powertrain systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Powertrain Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers are responsible for designing and developing mechanical systems, including the combustion engines and transmissions that are the subject of this course. They collaborate with other engineers to design and build prototypes, and test and evaluate new mechanical systems. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to analyze the performance and energy consumption of different powertrains, which is crucial for designing efficient mechanical systems for vehicles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers are responsible for designing and developing electrical systems, including the power electronics and electric machines that are the subject of this course. They collaborate with other engineers to design and build prototypes, and test and evaluate new electrical systems. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to analyze the performance and energy consumption of different powertrains, which is crucial for designing efficient electrical systems for vehicles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers are responsible for integrating different engineering disciplines to design and develop complex systems, such as vehicles. They collaborate with other engineers to define system requirements, design system architectures, and integrate different subsystems. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to analyze the performance and energy consumption of different powertrains, which is crucial for understanding the overall performance of a vehicle system.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing and developing software systems, including the software that controls the electric and combustion powertrains that are the subject of this course. They collaborate with other engineers to design and build prototypes, and test and evaluate new software systems. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to understand the software requirements and challenges of different powertrains, which is crucial for developing efficient software systems for vehicles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for defining and managing the development of new products, including vehicles. They collaborate with other stakeholders to define product requirements, develop product roadmaps, and launch new products. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to understand the market requirements and challenges of different powertrains, which is crucial for developing successful products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Sales Engineer

Sales Engineers are responsible for selling technical products and services, such as vehicles. They collaborate with customers to understand their needs and recommend the best products and services. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to understand the technical details of different powertrains, which is crucial for selling vehicles effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for creating technical documentation, such as user manuals and technical reports. They collaborate with other engineers to gather information and write clear and concise documentation. This course can help you build the foundation necessary to understand the technical details of different powertrains, which is crucial for writing effective technical documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for products and services, such as vehicles. They collaborate with other stakeholders to define marketing strategies, develop marketing materials, and launch marketing campaigns. This course may help you build the foundation necessary to understand the market requirements and challenges of different powertrains, which is helpful for developing effective marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations for investments. They collaborate with other stakeholders to develop financial models, conduct financial analysis, and make investment decisions. This course may help you build the foundation necessary to understand the financial implications of different powertrains, which is helpful for making informed investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify patterns and trends. They collaborate with other stakeholders to develop data-driven insights and make recommendations. This course may help you build the foundation necessary to understand the data requirements and challenges of different powertrains, which is helpful for developing effective data-driven insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They collaborate with other stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans, and manage project resources. This course may help you build the foundation necessary to understand the challenges of managing projects related to different powertrains, which is helpful for managing projects effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Management Consultant

Management Consultants are responsible for advising businesses on how to improve their operations and performance. They collaborate with clients to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement changes. This course may help you build the foundation necessary to understand the challenges and opportunities of different powertrains, which is helpful for advising clients on how to improve their operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant