Hybrid battery and supercapacitor energy storage for enhanced performance of retrofitted e-motorcycles: Case study of Rwanda

Abstract

Nowadays, the increase in air pollution and fuel costs has made the usage of electric vehicles (EVs) more dominant. However, EVs face a major challenge due to the impact of high charge-discharge currents on battery lifespan, leading to performance degradation over time. Supercapacitors (SCs) present a promising solution to address these issues and improve battery longevity. By combining SCs with batteries, the stress on the battery during high current demand can be transferred to the supercapacitors, reducing the heat generated in the battery and ultimately extending its lifespan. SCs can store significant amounts of energy and provide high power output without significantly affecting their lifespan. The purpose of this research is to enhance energy storage performance in retrofitted electric motorcycles. This was achieved through modelling and simulating a hybrid system that integrates both batteries and supercapacitors using MATLAB. According to the conducted survey, 90% of respondents preferred gasoline-powered motorcycles due to the longer driving range offered by a full tank of fuel compared to the limited range of a fully charged electric motorcycle. To address this issue and promote the adoption of electric motorcycles, the study developed a hybrid model that combines batteries and supercapacitors to extend the driving range. The simulation results showed a 35.76% increase in average power, indicating a significant improvement in energy storage and overall performance. This suggests that hybrid systems incorporating supercapacitors and batteries could play a vital role in enhancing the performance and feasibility of electric motorcycles.