Design of Hydraulic-Electric Hybrid Vehicle

Abstract

The University of Michigan has purchased a 3-wheeled electric vehicle called the Xebra. The Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring the conversion of the Xebra into a hydraulic-electric hybrid. Acceleration demands of city traffic drops the efficiency of an electric vehicle from 90% to 60%. The addition of hydraulics to the electric vehicle will allow for efficient energy use during acceleration, dramatically improving the range of the Xebra. This project is currently spanning several semesters. The focus of this term was to re-work the hydraulic system’s layout, to couple the hydraulic system to the drive shaft, and to integrate the electric, hydraulic, and mechanical components. The ultimate goal for this term was to have a working hydraulic-electric hybrid vehicle for display at the end term Design Expo.