Estimating Bounds of Aerodynamic, Mass, and Auxiliary Load Impacts on Autonomous Vehicles: A Powertrain Simulation Approach

Vehicle automation requires new onboard sensors, communication equipment, and/or data processing units, and may encourage modifications to existing components (such as the steering wheel). These changes impact vehicle’s mass, auxiliary load, coefficient of drag, frontal area, which then change vehicle performance. This paper uses powertrain simulation model FASTSim quantify autonomy-related design on a fuel consumption. Levels 0, 2, 5 autonomous vehicles are modeled for two battery-electric (2017 Chevrolet Bolt 2017 Nissan Leaf) gasoline powered Toyota Corolla). Additionally, level is divided into pessimistic optimistic scenarios assume different electronic equipment integration format. The results show that 4–8% reductions in energy economy can be achieved L5 scenario an 10–15% increase will result scenario. When looking at impacts power demand sources, inertial major urban driving conditions aerodynamic highway conditions.