Estimation of required power and energy for bicycle electrification using global positioning system

Abstract

When designing an electric motor drive for a conversion of bicycle to an electric vehicle it is obligatory to determine the required power of the electric motor and the energy of a battery pack. By using a classical method, drive requirements can be established with speed and torque measurement on the drive wheel of the vehicle using a torque meter. The given traction profile is used for the design of the drive. This paper describes the method for estimation of power and required energy of vehicle only by means of global positioning system (GPS). When selecting a GPS device, it is necessary to take the resolution of the device and accuracy of vehicle speed and altitude into account. Using the measured track (speed and altitude profile) and the drag model of the vehicle it is possible to calculate both power that the vehicle develops, and energy consumed for a certain distance. The GPS device measurements, selection of electric drive, bicycle electrification and analysis of processed KTM Knoxville electric bicycle is presented.