Page - (000007) - in Emerging Technologies for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Preface to ”Emerging Technologies for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles” Electric and hybrid vehicles are probably the cleanest and greenest road transportation, and are currently superseding internal combustion engine vehicles. The purpose of this book is to collect the wisdom of contributors with expertise in various technologies for electric and hybrid vehicles. Hence, the book will consolidate emerging technologies for electric and hybrid vehicles, with an emphasis on three main themes—the energy systems, the propulsion systems and the auxiliary systems. In this book, fifteen outstanding papers are collected. Firstly, it starts with general reviews of electric vehicle technologies as well as their challenges, developments and applications. Secondly, some emerging technologies within the field of energy systems for electric and hybrid vehicles, including their battery costing, modeling, fault diagnosis and parameter estimation, are presented. Apart from these on-board energy systems, off-board energy systems for electric vehicles are discussed, which include the optimal siting of charging stations, grid-aware peak shaving and the bidirectional converter interface with DC microgrids. Thirdly, two emerging technologies in the field of propulsion systems are elaborated, namely open-end winding permanent magnet synchronous motor driving for electric vehicles and power split type hybrid drivetrains for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Finally, three emerging technologies in the field of auxiliary systems, namely the optimal energy management strategy for hybrid electric vehicles, wireless charging systems for electric vehicles and heat pump air conditioning systems for electric vehicles are discussed. There is a Chinese idiom, “when you drink water, think of its source”. Hence, I have to express my special thanks to all contributors to this book. Another Chinese idiom, “collective wisdom reaps wide benefits” assures that the expertise of various contributors will gather together to derive solid knowledge of electric and hybrid vehicles, which is beneficial not only to technological advancement but also to knowledge exchange. Without their contributions, this book would not have seen the light of day. While electric and hybrid vehicles are a driving force of a better environment, my family is the propulsive force for my work on electric and hybrid vehicles. I would like to make use of this chance to express my heartfelt gratitude to Aten Man-Ho and Joan Wai-Yi for their heartfelt support throughout. K.T. Chau The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong vii