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July 14, 2026Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry0 citationsOpen Access

An innovative thermal management control strategy for electric scooters to enhance performance and efficiency

CCChun-Hsin ChangNational Taiwan Normal University GWGuan-Xun WangNational Taiwan Normal University HLHwa‐Dong LiuNational Taiwan Normal University

Key Points

The aim is to improve thermal management performance and energy efficiency of electric scooters under varying temperatures.
Developed a heat-exchange-based experimental platform for a 6.4-kW electric scooter.
Tested in controlled ambient temperatures from 30 to 50 °C using WMTC Part 1 and constant-speed driving cycles.
Adjusted water pump duty cycle based on real-time coolant temperature.
Under WMTC Part 1 cycle, average pump power consumption decreased from 18.35 W to 0.94 W, with a maximum reduction of 17.41 W and 94.86% energy improvement rate.
During constant-speed operation, maximum power reduction was 16.38 W with an energy improvement rate of 89.68%.
Coolant temperature remained stable, with deviations of 0.17–1.59 °C, ensuring effective thermal stability.

Abstract

This study proposes a temperature-dependent control strategy for improving the thermal management performance and energy efficiency of electric scooters under varying ambient conditions. A heat-exchange-based experimental platform was developed to replicate real vehicle operation for a 6.4-kW electric scooter, with ambient temperatures controlled between 30 and 50 °C. The proposed strategy dynamically adjusts the water pump duty cycle based on real-time coolant temperature, which reflects the thermal states of key components, including the traction motor and the motor control unit (MCU), eliminating the need for complex optimization algorithms. Experimental validation was conducted under both the WMTC Part 1 driving cycle (2400 s) and a constant-speed condition of 50 km h –1 (1100 s). The results demonstrate significant energy-saving performance. Under the WMTC Part 1 cycle, the proposed strategy reduced average pump power consumption from 18.35 W to as low as 0.94 W at 30 °C, achieving a maximum power reduction of 17.41 W and an energy improvement rate of 94.86%. Similarly, under constant-speed operation, the maximum power reduction reached 16.38 W, with an energy improvement rate of 89.68%. Across all tested conditions, the coolant temperature—representing the thermal behavior of the motor and MCU—remained well controlled, with deviations within approximately 0.17–1.59 °C, indicating effective thermal stability. These findings confirm that the proposed rule-based control strategy can significantly reduce energy consumption while maintaining adequate thermal protection for critical components. The approach offers a practical and low-complexity solution that can be readily implemented in vehicle control units (VCUs) or embedded systems. This makes it particularly suitable for small electric vehicles operating in high-temperature environments, with potential benefits for improving overall energy efficiency and extending driving range.

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