Suggested Citation:
Zhao, Hengbing and Andrew Burke (2010) Effects of Different Powertrain Configurations and Control Strategies on Fuel Economy of Fuel Cell Vehicles. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-10-32

Fuel cells in conjunction with energy storage such as batteries and ultracapacitors can create high power with fast dynamic response, permit the recovery of regenerative braking energy, and mitigate the stress on the fuel cell stack, and potentially permit downsizing the fuel cell system. In this paper, fuel cell vehicles using different hybridization configurations, energy storage technologies, and power split control strategies were modeled and evaluated. Simulations were performed to address the advantages and disadvantages of each powertrain configuration in terms of the operating conditions of fuel cells and the fuel economy improvement potential. Finally, the fuel cell-battery hybrid vehicle model was used to project fuel economy of future fuel cell vehicles in period 2015-2045.

Keywords: fuel cell vehicle, hybrid, battery, ultracapacitor, fuel economy