Energy consumption models for heavy hybrid electric trucks in forest transportation

Several models exist for estimating energy consumption in both diesel and electric trucks. However, there is limited research on hybrid trucks, which combine diesel and electric powertrains. We propose three energy-consumption models to estimate energy use in hybrid-electric trucks. The first model is a standard energy model grounded in fundamental physical principles. The second model estimates the overall energy consumption as a function of road gradient and speed. The third model provides a comprehensive analytical representation of energy distribution in hybrid trucks by separately modeling the diesel engine and electric motor, enhancing its adaptability to diverse driving conditions. All three models account for variations in road slope and speed limits. The models are trained on measured data from energy-consumption tests conducted on a prototype hybrid-electric truck developed by a Canadian research and development organization. The models are then used in a case study to estimate the hybrid truck’s performance on roads with varying characteristics.