Integrating Dynamic Limiting Mechanism in Electric Scooters to Mitigate Range Anxiety via SoC-Tracking Range-Enhancement Attachment (STRETCH)

Electric vehicles face a remarkable challenge in the form of range anxiety, as their limited operational range per charge has hindered widespread adoption. This concern is further amplified by consumers’ apprehensions about running out of battery and the scarcity of charging infrastructure, coupled with the time-consuming recharging process. Surmounting this barrier will not only revolutionize transportation but also empower individuals to embrace the sustainable future of electric mobility, transforming the way we move and live. This work develops a dynamic current-limiting mechanism for existing personal electric mobility (PEM) equipment such as electric scooters. Based on onboard battery state-of-charge (SoC) and pre-set limit levels, the throttle signal is bypassed by an added microcontroller (STRETCH) to reduce battery depletion and hence prolong the scooter's range. This study performs modeling and simulation of the e-scooter using MATLAB-Simulink, integrating the dynamic limiting algorithm. Simulation results are compared and validated with field test data of the enhanced e-scooter, using an FTDI serial adapter for serial communication with the user interface. The acquired data is meticulously analyzed to obtain crucial operating parameters, facilitating a comprehensive performance comparison between the real scooter and the simulation model.