Innovations in xEV Powertrains and Challenges for Future Architectures.

Authors

Dipl.-Ing. C. Billig, Dr.-Ing. A. Wilde, Dr. techn. F. Preuss, Dipl.-Ing. S. Juraschek, BMW Group, Munich

Year

2018

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Series 12, No 807

Summary

A quick roll out of BEVs and PHEVs is necessary in order to fulfill future legislative CO2 emission targets and to keep up with global trends: Knowledge about customer needs and broad field experience are essential in order to be able to deliver the most attractive and competitive future powertrains. Nevertheless, some of the main concerns of potential BEV buyers will remain beyond the year 2025: availability of public charging in remote areas and charging times higher than conventional refueling. Thus, PHEV powertrains will be playing a key role in the electrification process during the next decades. The compact design of the present BMW modular powertrain components results in higher power and energy density with reduced costs. The most recent examples are the spearhead of the BMW Group’s PHEV portfolio, the “i8 Roadster” and the latest BEV “i3s”.
The fifth-generation xEV modular e-drive concept, known as “Gen5”, will be an enabler for a broad-based and scalable range of drive units for a vehicle portfolio with millions of units over the production term. With each electrified vehicle, our customers have the choice between different ranges and power levels, enabling them to select a vehicle tailored to their needs. The solutions deliver maximum synergy between BEV, PHEV and ICE and are critical factors for the success of the BMW Group, thus enabling the total and smooth replacement of ICE based powertrains in the long term. Every power train concept can be integrated into a single vehicle platform. Also scalability is considered in the latest BMW modular kit. Depending on vehicle characteristics and performance class, electric drivetrain components and high-voltage batteries can be varied with little effort.
The next generation of PHEV powertrains has to achieve even higher targets: as PHEV powertrains will have to play a dominant role in the market, their package has to be optimized even further. The enabling of greater electric range and power, smarter charging solutions and optimal passenger comfort in a compact vehicle are the main challenges for tomorrow.