Powertrain Sizing for a Retrofit Zero Emission Vehicle using Vehicular Dynamics: An Intercampus Test Scenario Case

In response to global environmental qualms, the demand for a more sustainable mobility has led to the development and adoption of Zero Emission Vehicles. Crowned as the 'Messiahs' of a sustainable future, the answer to what happens to old and already manufactured fossil fuel-based vehicles remains a challenge, unless a vehicle retrofitting model is adopted. This paper explored the powertrain engineering sizing for a retrofit vehicle using an applicable real-world test scenario case. This was achieved by using a vehicular dynamics kinetic model with the kinetic parameters and driving cycle data used as inputs. The sizing effort, having computed the propulsion and energy storage requirements of the retrofit vehicle powertrain, tallying the overall battery package power electronics and drivetrain setup was a success, passing the homologation mass constraints criteria for retrofit vehicles. The meticulous and systematic approach explored in this work serves as a roadmap for electrification retrofitting, paving a way for sustainable mobility and an accelerated skill transfer and adoption of electrified vehicles in Non-Mediterranean Africa.