Loughborough University is the best place for this research due to its strong reputation in in fields such as engineering and sustainable transport, including control systems, automotive engineering and renewable energy.
The University offers cutting-edge facilities and resources, including advanced laboratories and simulation tools essential for developing and testing eco-driving strategies for electric vehicles. The University's commitment to innovation and sustainability aligns perfectly with the goals of my research, providing an ideal environment to advance energy-efficient transportation solutions.
I am funding my PhD through a joint scholarship provided by Loughborough University and Higher Education Commission Pakistan. This financial support covers my tuition fees and living costs, allowing me to focus on my studies and research activities.
My research is highly relevant to the field as it addresses critical issues in sustainable transportation and its environmental impact. With the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions, my work focuses on minimising greenhouse gas emissions, adapting eco-driving strategies specifically for EVs, promoting sustainable transportation and encouraging drivers to adopt energy-efficient practices. This aligns with current global priorities in environmental sustainability and automotive innovation, contributing to the development of more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.
Adoption of energy-efficient automobiles has grown in importance as society grapples with the issues posed by climate change, as well as a desire to minimise reliance on fossil fuels.*
As society confronts climate change and seeks to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, energy-efficient vehicles are becoming increasingly crucial. The future of transportation will involve more automation and electric powertrains, making effective energy management essential. One popular approach to address energy consumption in vehicles is eco-driving, which encourages driving behaviours such as avoiding hard braking by anticipating traffic signals and traffic flow. These techniques can lead to significant reductions in energy consumption.
However, further research is needed to optimise eco-driving for electric vehicles, which differ from conventional cars in key ways. Additionally, understanding the factors that influence drivers' adoption of eco-driving techniques is critical. This research aims to develop energy-efficient control strategies for electric vehicles, incorporating driver preferences, promoting sustainability and enhancing the practicality of eco-driving within the context of electric vehicles.
Through my research, I aim to advance eco-driving techniques for electric vehicles (EVs) by optimising energy-efficient controls and gaining a deeper understanding of driver behaviours. The goal is to positively impact energy consumption and emissions, improve driver adoption of eco-driving practices and promote smoother traffic flow. This will make EVs more energy-efficient, user-friendly, and beneficial for both the environment and society, contributing to a more sustainable future in transportation.
I highly encourage prospective students to undertake a PhD at Loughborough University due to its supportive environment, wealth of experience and opportunities for both academic and professional growth. If you're considering a PhD at Loughborough, I recommend thoroughly researching the University's strengths in your field, securing funding early, engaging with potential supervisors and making full use of the available resources. It's important to be prepared for challenges but also to actively network and build professional connections that will support your research and career development.
*S. Qamar, P. Hubbard, W. Midgley and J. Fleming, "Validation of an OpenOCL Model for Energy Efficient Electric Vehicle Control," 2024 UKACC 14th International Conference on Control (CONTROL), Winchester, United Kingdom, 2024, pp. 219-220, doi: 10.1109/CONTROL60310.2024.10531925.