The classification of various types of power plants used in a vehicle is shown in Figure 2 .
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Figure 2: Classification of vehicle power plat |
In selecting a suitable power plant, the following factors are considered:
- • Operating performance
• Economy
• Environment friendliness
For vehicular applications, the ideal performance characteristic of a power plant is constant power output over the full speed range. Consequently, the torque varies hyperbolically with respect to speed as shown in Figure 3 . This ideal performance characteristic of the power plant will ensure that the maximum power is available at any vehicle speed, thus resulting in optimal vehicle performance. In practice however, the torque is constrained to be constant a low speeds. This is done so as not to be over the maxima limited by the adhesion between the tyre-ground contact areas. The internal combustion (IC) engines are the most commonly used power plants for the land vehicles. In hybrid and electric vehicle technology, the electric motor is used.
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