Assessment of multi-phase IPM for low-voltage battery electric powertrain

The ongoing evolution in electric vehicle (EV) technology underscores the critical role of advancing motor architectures to enhance efficiency and reliability. Multiphase motors are emerging as pivotal solutions in low-voltage systems, offering enhanced efficiency, reliability, and adaptability compared to traditional three-phase configurations. This study assesses the performance of a multiphase Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motor for traction applications in a low-voltage battery EV operating at 48V. The research contrasts the performance of a six-phase IPM motor against a conventional three-phase IPM motor. Key metrics such as torque characteristics, energy consumption, and efficiency across various driving cycles are compared and analyzed. Results indicate that the six-phase configuration offers improved torque characteristics with reduced ripple, enhancing vehicle dynamics and efficiency. The study also highlights the benefits of multiphase motors in terms of fault tolerance and torque density, which are crucial for optimizing performance in 48V systems. Comparative analysis demonstrates the suitability of multiphase motors for future EV traction applications, despite current limitations in comprehensive studies and practical implementations.