Optimizing PHEV Electric Range with Battery Degradation

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) operates on both electricity and liquid fuel, offering decarbonization and range assurance. Optimization of the electric range is relevant to total cost of ownership, decarbonization potential and battery material supply, but has not been studied by considering battery degradation. This study expands an existing range optimization model by integrating the cycle-based and calendar-based battery degradation mechanisms. The optimization is found to be significant, saving battery cost for consumers by $3000-$5000. The optimal results, in terms of the minimized total cost and the optimized battery capacity, are robust against all exogenous parameters. The degradation effect is significant and can motivate users to “hope” for faster degradation so that the PHEV can be used earlier as a non-plug-in hybrid.