Analysis of Dual-Motor Drivetrain Architectures with Torque Distribution - Energy Consumption Evaluation for Electric Articulated Haulers

Abstract

The electrification of heavy-duty articulated vehicles increases the demand for efficient and flexible drivetrain systems. Focusing on the electric articulated hauler platform exemplified by the Volvo A30, this thesis sets out to explore how different dual-motor drivetrain configurations impact the vehicle’s energy consumption patterns. To conduct this investigation, three distinct drivetrain architectures were assessed: a fully coupled baseline design, a partially coupled configuration featuring asymmetric motor sizing with adjusted gear ratios, and a simplified fully decoupled architecture. A unified forward energy flow simulation framework is developed for systematic comparison under representative heavy-duty operating conditions. The findings of the research highlight that the effectiveness of torque distribution is closely tied to two key factors: operating condition and the drivetrain configuration. Among the investigated configurations, the partially coupled architecture consistently achieves lower energy consumption across all evaluated scenarios. The results suggest that the combination of asymmetric motor sizing, modified gear ratios, and torque distribution strategy can improve drivetrain operating behavior and reduce overall energy consumption under certain load conditions. In summary, this study provides clear evidence that making moderate system-level adjustments to existing dual-motor drivetrain architectures can unlock potential for improving the energy efficiency of heavy-duty electric articulated vehicles.