DEPARTMET OF ELECTRICAL AND

ELECTRONICS

Activity 05: Comparative Analysis of Motors based on their

Performance Parameters

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DC Motors:
a. High starting torque due to direct armature current control.
b. Simple and low-cost with easy speed control using voltage variation[3][4].
c. Frequent maintenance needed due to brush and commutator wear[4].
d. Low efficiency (typically below 80%) with high losses and EMI issues[3].
e. Bulky and unsuitable for modern, high-speed, or long-life EV applications.

BLDC Motors:
a. Offers high efficiency (85–93%), power density, and low maintenance due to
brushless design [2][3][4].
b. Provides smooth and quiet operation with good thermal performance from
stator-mounted windings[4].
c. Requires complex electronic control and rotor position sensing.
d. Can exhibit torque ripple without advanced control methods like FOC[3].
e. More expensive than brushed motors and has risk of demagnetization under
thermal/electrical stress[2].

PMDC Motors:
a. High starting torque and simple speed control, ideal for low-speed EVs like
scooters and light electric vehicles.
b. Compact and lightweight due to permanent magnets, with decent power
density for basic applications.
c. Lower cost and simpler design than brushless motors, making them good for
entry-level EVs.
d. Brush and commutator wear leads to higher maintenance and shorter
lifespan.
e. Lower efficiency (typically around 75–85%) and not suitable for high-speed
or heavy-duty EV applications.

Induction Motors:
a. Rugged, low-maintenance design with no brushes or permanent magnets,
making it reliable and durable.
b. Moderate to high efficiency (85–92%) and well-suited for regenerative
braking and heavy-duty EV tasks[2][3][4].
c. Lower cost than PMSM or BLDC, especially due to absence of rare-earth
materials[3][4].
d. Lower power and torque density compared to PMSM, making the motor
bulkier for the same output[2].

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Synchronous Motors:
a. Constant-speed operation with precise control, ideal for applications needing
synchronization with the supply frequency.
b. Good efficiency and power factor control, especially in field-oriented
systems[3].
c. Rotor excitation can be controlled, enabling flexibility in dynamic
performance.
d. Requires an external excitation system (field windings and slip rings),
increasing complexity and reducing reliability.
e. Heavier and bulkier than PM-based motors; less torque density and not
common in modern EVs [3][4].

PMSM:
a. High efficiency (90–96%) and excellent power and torque density, ideal for
high-performance EVs [3].
b. Smooth and quiet operation with low torque ripple when controlled via
Field-Oriented Control (FOC).
c. Precise speed and torque control, making it suitable for both traction and
regenerative braking [3].
d. Requires complex electronic control and position sensors, increasing system
cost and complexity.
e. Costly and reliant on rare-earth magnets, with risk of demagnetization under
thermal or overload conditions.

Switched Reluctance Machine:

a. Simple, magnet-free construction makes it low-cost and ideal for rare-earth-
free EV strategies.
b. High fault tolerance due to independent phase control and rugged rotor
design [2].
c. Can achieve high torque at low speeds, especially in SRM types.
d. Suffers from high torque ripple and acoustic noise unless mitigated with
advanced control [2].
e. Lower efficiency and power density compared to PMSM or BLDC, especially
at high speeds.

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 Comparative Analysis of Electric Motors for EVs
Parameter / DC Motor BLDC PMDC Inductio Synchrono PMSM SRM
Motor Type n Motor us Motor
Application Rare in Popular Low- Commerc Trains, High- Emerging
(EV) modern in light cost ial EVs heavy EVs performan in
EVs; EVs (e- EVs (Tesla ce EVs budget/hi
simple bikes, (golf rear (Tesla gh-
applicatio scooters) carts, motor) front) reliability
ns toys) EVs
Torque- Linear, Flat up to Linear Flat then Flat Flat + field Stepped,
Speed torque rated drop- constant weakenin wide range
Characterist drops speed off power g
ics with
speed
Starting High High High Moderate High High Very High
Torque (with
inverter)
Max Speed 3000– 8000– 3000– Up to 6000– Up to Up to
Range 5000 RPM 10000 5000 18,000 10000 RPM 12,000 20,000
RPM RPM RPM RPM RPM
Peak 75–85% 95–98% 70– 90–95% 90–95% 95–98% 85–90%
Efficiency 85%
Average Moderate High Modera High Moderate High Moderate
Efficiency te to High
Flat No Yes (via No Yes (with Yes Yes (FOC) Possible
Efficiency electroni control) (controller
over Wide cs) dependent
Speed )
Effect of Limits Needs Limits Negligible Needs Mitigated Negligible
Back EMF high- inverter high- excitation via field
speed mitigatio speed control weakenin
performan n g
ce
Robustness Low Moderate Low High Moderate Moderate Very High
/ Fault (brushes) (controlle (brush (robust (magnet (simple
Tolerance r wear) design) safety rotor)
required) needed)
High Temp Poor Moderate Poor Very High High High (with Very High
Capability good
magnets)
Noise / Moderate Low Modera Low Low Low High
Vibration te
Torque High Moderate High Low Low Low High
Ripple (arcing) to High (controller

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 mitigated)
Mechanical Heavy Light Modera Heavy Heavy Low to Light
Weight te (copper (field Moderate
rotor) windings)

References

[1] S. Das, S. Sen, and A. Datta, “Critical aspects of electric motor drive controllers and
mitigation of torque ripple: Review,” IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 3319–3330,
May-Jun. 2022, doi: 10.1109/TIA.2022.3142123.

[2] A. Khan and M. Khalid, “A survey on comparison of electric motor types and drives used
for electric vehicles,” Int. J. Sci. Eng. Res., vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 728–734, May 2019.

[3] D. Mahajan and S. Jain, “Comparative study of using different electric motors in the
electric vehicles,” Int. J. Mech. Eng. Technol., vol. 9, no. 9, pp. 1211–1219, Sep. 2018.

[4] S. Kumar, R. Thakur, and A. Verma, “Comparison of electric motors for electric vehicles
applications,” in Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. Power Energy Environ. (ICEPE), 2020, pp. 1–6, doi:
10.1109/ICEPE50861.2020.9242893.

[5] M. Shrivastava and A. Dubey, “Comparison of electric motors used in electric vehicles,”
Int. Res. J. Eng. Technol., vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 1141–1147, Jun. 2021.

[6] X. D. Xue, K. W. E. Cheng and N. C. Cheung, "Selection of ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVES for
electric vehicles," 2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference, Sydney,
NSW, Australia, 2008, pp. 1-6. keywords: {Electric motors; Electric vehicles; Reluctance
motors ,DC motors; Drives; Costs; Cooling; Fault tolerance; Electrical safety; Vehicle safety},

[7] F. Gillon, A. Meinguet, and M. Hecquet, “Design of electric motors and power drive
systems according to efficiency standards,” Energies, vol. 12, no. 24, pp. 1–20, Dec. 2019,
doi: 10.3390/en12244692.

[8] Adjustable Speed Electrical Power Drive Systems–Part 9-2: Ecodesign for Power Drive
Systems, Motor Starters, Power Electronics and Their Driven Applications—Energy
Efficiency Indicators For Power Drive Systems and Motor Starters, International Standard
IEC 61800-9-2, 2017.

[9] E. B. Agamloh, “Power and efficiency measurement of motor-variable frequency drive

systems,” IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 766–773, Jan./Feb. 2017.

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[10] S. Krishnamoorthy, P. Parakkat, K. Panikkar,” A comprehensive review of different
electric motors for electric vehicles application”, International Journal of Power Electronics
and Drive Systems (IJPEDS)  74 Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2024, pp. 74~90.