Abstract
Plug-in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PFCVs) offer reduced operating and manufacturing cost when compared to conventional hydrogen fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCVs), and improved range and refueling time when compared to grid charged Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). As such, PFCVs provide opportunity to combine the advantages and mitigate the limitations of both FCVs and EVs. Although the PFCV concept has been presented conceptually in the past, no quantitative analyses of its prospective technical, environmental and economic characteristics have been performed until recently. Motivated by the basic promise of a new high-efficiency, zero-emission vehicle, the authors have conducted an initial assessment of PFCVs in comparison with FCVs, BEVs and internal combustion engine-battery hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). This study was coordinated by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and supported by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Southern California Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The study approach included the identification of representative PFCV, FCV, BEV and PHEV vehicle configurations, the modeling of these configurations, and the determination of their energy use, well-to-wheel carbon dioxide emissions, and cost characteristics. Results show that, with economies of scale, PFCVs can offer a competitive alternative to conventional PHEVs with the added benefits of being 100% petroleum independent and having zero tailpipe emissions. Within the context of PFCVs, a wide range of design freedom is possible; this study suggests that low power fuel cells and high energy batteries provide optimal benefits for environmental and cost metrics. The optimal vehicle can be described as a hydrogen fuel cell, hybrid electric, range-extending vehicle (FCEREV).
Highlights
A plug-in fuel cell vehicle is an advanced technology electric vehicle concept with promise to help achieve key environmental and energystrategic goals
In addition to being a zeroemission vehicle, the plug-in fuel cell vehicle combines the advantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with those of grid-charged Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
To expand upon the progression of vehicle designs towards increased electrification, the study presented in this paper provides additional analysis of the design space for BEVs, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and Plug-in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PFCVs)
Summary
A plug-in fuel cell vehicle is an advanced technology electric vehicle concept with promise to help achieve key environmental and energystrategic goals. PFCVs offer the benefit of increased fuel cell operating efficiency while facilitating the market acceptance of FCVs in a phase of reduced availability of hydrogen infrastructure This ability promises to reduce the cost and increase operating life of the fuel cell system, mitigating two of the most challenging issues faced by fuel cell vehicles. In 2011, a first phase of analysis was conducted of the technical, environmental and cost characteristics of three representative plug-in fuel cell vehicle (PFCV) configurations and similarsized fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), BEVs and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), the currently leading advanced electric technology vehicles [4]. Graphic comparisons of the seven representative vehicles’ updated simulation of WTW GHG emissions (using both California and U.S electricity mixes) as well as near- and long-term fuel costs are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 respectively
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
