Pre-selection of hybrid electric vehicle architectures during the initial design phase

The Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), one that uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor to achieve motion, has been around for more than a century and is now making a comeback. Automakers are now placing an increased focus in deriving methodologies to assist in HEV development activities that seek to deliver cars with better fuel efficiency, less pollution, at no compromise to the performance qualities and comfort of conventional automobiles. The complexity involved with such a system requires a structured development process. A five step process that utilizes Design Structure Matrices and Domain Mapping Matrices is outlined in this paper to aid in the pre-selection of HEV architectures during the initial phases of product development.