Development of a proof-of-concept hybrid electric fuel cell vehicle

The demand for fuel-efficient vehicles is on the rise due to the rising costs of gasoline and increasing environmental concerns. Zero tailpipe emission vehicles that run on electricity or hydrogen lack infrastructure to have a significant impact, while some successful hybrid electric vehicles achieve little more than eliminating idling time and capturing small percentages of braking energy. One possible solution that addresses these problems is a series hybrid electric powertrain with range extending capabilities using hydrogen and gasoline. The described powertrain was designed and modeled to simulate performance and fuel economy. In order to further prove the concept of this design, a 2000 Audi TT was converted to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a 90 kW AC electric motor, LiFePO4 batteries, 10 kW internal combustion generator, and 5 kW hydrogen PEM fuel cell. Using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standard city and highway driving tests, the vehicle has a simulated increase in fuel economy from 20/29 miles per gallon, respectively, to 230/173 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4718369]