Work

A Review of Coordinated Torque Allocation for Energy Efficiency and Stability in Distributed-Drive Electric Vehicles

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Distributed-drive electric vehicles (DDEVs) enable independent wheel-torque control, providing flexibility to improve energy efficiency and vehicle stability. However, tire–road adhesion, motor and battery capabilities, and actuator availability constrain these objectives, which may conflict under low-adhesion conditions, high-power acceleration, emergency braking, and combined longitudinal–lateral maneuvers. This paper provides a structured review of coordinated torque-allocation strategies for balancing energy efficiency and stability in DDEVs. Existing research is examined in terms of regenerative braking, tire-slip energy-loss reduction, and stability control under longitudinal, yaw, and combined conditions. Control approaches are classified as rule-based, stability-region-based, mode-switching, multi-objective optimization and predictive control, state-adaptive dynamic-priority coordination, and learning-based safety-hybrid methods. These approaches differ in real-time performance, constraint handling, adaptability, interpretability, and engineering maturity. A hierarchical hybrid architecture integrating rule-based supervision, state assessment, constraint-aware optimization, and learning-based enhancement appears more suitable for practical deployment than a single algorithm or fixed-weighting scheme. Key challenges include dynamic stability-boundary estimation, safety-assured coordination, multi-actuator fault tolerance, real-time implementation, and standardized vehicle-level validation. This review provides guidance for coordinated control-system development and future research on DDEVs.

Source: World Electric Vehicle Journal

DOI: 10.3390/wevj17080431

Authors: Bin Huang, Shuai Zhao, Jinyu Wei, Guochao Zhang, Xiaoxu Wei

Institution: Wuhan University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Vehicle Dynamics and Control Systems

Subfield: Automotive Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689