Abstract
A new control law for direct yaw moment control of an electric vehicle is developed. Although this study is considered as part of a global control system for the traction control of a four motorized wheel electric vehicle, but the results of this study is quite general and can be applied to other types of vehicles. The dynamic model of the system has been analyzed and, in accordance with the optimal control theory, an optimal controller is designed. Two different versions of the control law have been considered and the performance of each version has been separately studied and compared with each other. Finally, the numerical simulation of the vehicle-handling model with and without the use of the optimal yaw moment controller has been carried out. Results obtained indicate that considerable improvement in the vehicle handling has been achieved when the optimal yaw moment controller is engaged.