Project Details

Engineering Problem Statement

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is constrained by limited battery capacity and insufficient charging infrastructure, making long-distance travel and energy sustainability key challenges. Our project addresses these limitations by integrating built-in renewable power generation systems—solar, wind, and regenerative braking—into an autonomous electric car. This innovative approach enhances energy efficiency, extends driving range, and reduces dependence on external charging stations, making EV technology more sustainable and practical.

Project Methodology

Our project followed a structured, four-phase methodology:

1. Research & Literature Review – Studying existing EV technologies, renewable energy integration, and autonomous systems.

2. Design & Simulation – Developing and testing system components using MATLAB Simulink for power flow analysis, Proteus 8 for circuit design, Arduino IDE for control logic, and Fusion 360 for mechanical structure modeling.

3. Prototyping & Implementation – Constructing the car’s hardware framework, integrating solar panels, a wind turbine, a BLDC motor, and a regenerative braking system.

4. Testing & Performance Analysis – Evaluating energy efficiency, range extension, and battery performance through simulations and real-world trials.

Technology Stack

• Hardware Components:

  • BLDC Motor – Primary propulsion system powered by a 48V lithium-ion battery pack.

  • Renewable Energy Sources:

    • Solar Panels: Foldable PV panels generate up to 48V during peak sunlight hours.

    • Wind Turbine: Produces 11.4–12.5V at maximum speed, enhancing range.

    • Regenerative Braking System: Recovers 11.2–12.4V per braking event, improving battery efficiency.

  • Smart Battery Management System (BMS): Regulates power distribution and ensures efficient energy utilization.

• Software Tools:

  • MATLAB Simulink – Simulating energy flow and system behavior.

  • Proteus 8 – Circuit design and microcontroller programming.

  • Arduino IDE – Implementing control logic and automation features.

  • Fusion 360 – 3D modeling and mechanical design.

Simulation & Real-World Results

• Simulation Findings: After a 1000-second test, the car covered 6.549 km while maintaining a 100% state of charge, demonstrating effective energy balance.

• Real-World Testing: The battery voltage dropped only from 64V to 62.42V after 20 minutes of continuous driving, proving the efficiency of our self-charging system.