Design and development of a multipurpose utility AWD electric vehicle with a hybrid powertrain based on PEM fuel cells and batteries

This paper presents the results obtained on the research project CIT-370000-2008-11, entitled “Multi-purpose remote-controlled all-wheel-drive tool-vehicle powered by fuel cells” funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology. A new concept multipurpose electric vehicle has been designed and manufactured, based on three basic features: a hybrid power system consisting in PEM fuel cells + batteries, an all-wheel-drive traction system, and the capability of being either on-site driven or remote-controlled. The vehicle is formed by two frames connected by a two-degree of freedom joint, and is powered by two 2.5 kW DC motors, one in each axle. All the electric circuits for the suitable control of the power hybrid system have been developed in our Laboratory, allowing a large flexibility. After the different tests performed, it has been verified that the vehicle presents good maneuverability, a good traction performance in off-road driving, as well as a good slope-climbing capability. Under the experimental conditions tested, the vehicle reached a maximum speed of 11 km/h on flat surface, keeping the maximum power consumption always around 3 kW.

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► A new all-wheel-drive multipurpose electric car has been designed and manufactured.
► The hybrid powertrain is formed by two 1.5 kW PEMFC and four lead-acid batteries.
► Good maneuverability is obtained if it is either on-site driven or remote-controlled.
►  The vehicle presents good performance in both off-road driving, and slope-climbing.
► A speed of 11 km/h is reached on flat road, and 3 kW was consumed for steep climbing.