Title: Emerging sustainable electric vehicle for developing South-Asian countries
Abstract:
This study proposes a high-performance energy storage system for an electric three-wheeler rickshaw based on Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) 32700 cylindrical cells to replace conventional 48 V, 100–120 Ah lead–acid battery packs. A 16S configuration is designed to obtain a nominal pack voltage of 51.2 V with a capacity of 105 Ah (≈ 5.3kWh), ensuring compatibility with typical 800–1200W BLDC motor drive systems. Compared to lead-acid batteries (energy density ≈ 30–40Wh/kg), the developed LFP pack achieves an energy density of about 120–140Wh/kg with nearly 35-40% weight reduction. The system allows an 80–90% usable depth of discharge and delivers more than 3500–4000 charge-discharge cycles at a 1C rate, which is nearly 4–5 times higher than the 500–800 cycle life of lead–acid counterparts. Fast-charging capability (80% within ≈ 1.5 h) and round-trip efficiency above 94% significantly improve daily vehicle utilization and reduce downtime. A smart battery management system is integrated for cell balancing, thermal protection, and accurate state-of-charge estimation. Performance analysis shows an increase in driving range from approximately 70-80 km to 100-120 km per charge under standard urban load conditions. Lifecycle cost assessment indicates a reduction of more than 45% in battery replacement expenses over five years. The proposed LFP 32700-based storage system therefore offers a lightweight, thermally stable, and economically sustainable solution for next-generation electric rickshaws, particularly in developing country transportation sectors.
