Diploma in Engineering Fundamentals of Electric Vehicles

Course Overview

What does this course tell?
(Please note that the following overview content is from the original platform)
We see more and more electric vehicles on our roads every day as they are four times more energy-efficient than combustion engine vehicles, which makes them more accessible and reliable, and they do not pollute the environment with CO2 emissions. The course opens by explaining how the flow of energy works by unpacking Ohm’s law to help you understand how electric energy travels through a circuit. You then encounter Kirchhoff's first two laws to understand both mass and energy conservation. These rules establish the flow of thermal and magnetic energies and their role in converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. This also covers the function of magnetic flux inside an electric motor.
This brings us to torque production inside an electric motor and commutation’s role in creating it. We explore a PMDC motor involving split rings and sliding carbon brushes for commutation to discover how it produces torque. We then investigate a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), which has higher torque, a smaller frame and no rotor current, making it the motor of choice for electric vehicles. As you navigate the PMSM, you will become familiar with three-phase circuits, the synchronous d-q frame theory and ‘Park and Clarke transform’. This course teaches you the crucial methods involved in designing a field-oriented control and how to control the amplitude, phase and frequency of the voltage the battery provides to operate the motor.
We show you how to build a thermal profile for the motor using Norton's Theorem to demonstrate how heat flows and how you can improve resistances along the way. This thermal profile will help you judge whether or not the peak temperatures produced by your design will be within acceptable limits. This brings us to chargers as you see how chargers are designed and function. Special attention is given to public chargers, their design, the standards that govern them in different countries and how they communicate with the power grid and local energy operator. In some countries, the concept of ‘battery swapping’ is being legalized, which can make purchasing and operating an electric vehicle more accessible to drivers. We wrap up with an explanation of vehicle analytics and their role in guaranteeing the vehicle’s safety and ensuring the development of improved future models. This course is for anyone who is passionate about vehicle technology and wants to help the environment by gaining new engineering skills that will advance their career.


We considered the value of this course from many aspects, and finally summarized it for you from two aspects: skills and knowledge, and the people who benefit from it:
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What skills and knowledge will you acquire during this course?
During this course, learners will acquire the following skills and knowledge:
1. Understanding of Ohm's law and how electric energy travels through a circuit.
2. Knowledge of Kirchhoff's laws and their role in mass and energy conservation.
3. Understanding of thermal and magnetic energies and their conversion into mechanical energy.
4. Knowledge of the function of magnetic flux inside an electric motor.
5. Understanding of torque production inside an electric motor and the role of commutation.
6. Knowledge of PMDC motors and their torque production mechanism using split rings and sliding carbon brushes.
7. Understanding of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) and their advantages in electric vehicles.
8. Familiarity with three-phase circuits, synchronous d-q frame theory, and 'Park and Clarke transform'.
9. Knowledge of field-oriented control design and control of voltage amplitude, phase, and frequency.
10. Ability to build a thermal profile for the motor using Norton's Theorem and improve resistances.
11. Understanding of charger design and function, with a focus on public chargers and their standards.
12. Knowledge of how chargers communicate with the power grid and local energy operators.
13. Awareness of battery swapping as a concept and its impact on electric vehicle accessibility.
14. Understanding of vehicle analytics and their role in ensuring safety and improving future models.
15. Development of engineering skills related to electric vehicle technology.
Who will benefit from this course?
This course will benefit individuals who are passionate about vehicle technology and want to help the environment by gaining new engineering skills. Specifically, it will be beneficial for professionals in the following fields:
1. Automotive Engineers: This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of electric vehicles, including the flow of energy, torque production, motor control, and thermal management. Automotive engineers can enhance their knowledge and skills in designing and developing electric vehicles.
2. Electrical Engineers: Electric vehicles heavily rely on electrical systems and components. Electrical engineers can benefit from this course by gaining a deep understanding of electric circuits, motor control, and battery charging systems. This knowledge can be applied to various industries, including automotive, renewable energy, and power systems.
3. Mechanical Engineers: Understanding the principles of torque production and motor control is crucial for mechanical engineers working on electric vehicle design and development. This course provides insights into the different types of electric motors used in electric vehicles and their operation, allowing mechanical engineers to contribute effectively to the design and optimization of electric vehicle systems.
4. Environmentalists and Sustainability Professionals: As electric vehicles are more energy-efficient and emit zero CO2 emissions, individuals working in the field of environmental conservation and sustainability can benefit from this course. It provides a comprehensive understanding of electric vehicle technology, enabling them to advocate for and promote the adoption of electric vehicles as a sustainable transportation solution.
5. Researchers and Innovators: This course offers in-depth knowledge of electric vehicle technology, including motor control, battery charging, and thermal management. Researchers and innovators in the field of electric vehicles can benefit from this course by gaining insights into the latest advancements and emerging trends, allowing them to contribute to the development of improved future models.