Development of a fuel cell hybrid electric powertrain: A real case study on a Minibus application

What is it about?

Many actions have been recently carried out within European cities with the aim of reduce the negative impacts on traffic and environment caused by transport. New technologies for vehicles and traffic management are the key to lower transport emissions and the electric approach is a promising line to achieve EU's emissions reduction target for 2030 and 2050. Electric Vehicles (EVs) include vehicles with different technologies such as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs) or Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). BEVs operate purely on the battery power but the energy storage system remains one of the main critical elements due to vehicle autonomy, weight and charging time. FCV outperform BEV for its high autonomy and it is possible to perform a hydrogen recharge in short time but the costs remain high. Different from these last, hybrid configurations carried out through Batteries and Fuel Cell System (FCS) show advantages for both technologies.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

It is evident that alternative technologies are essential if we are to reduce the emission footprint of the road transport sector. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to think not only about vehicles in the strict sense but also to the techniques used for the fuels production. The article describes the development of FCHE Minibus and some on road tests carried out in urban and suburban routes. The electricity and hydrogen required for vehicle traction are produced through a plant powered by RES integrating charging infrastructures.

Perspectives