Configuration of solar-hydrogen mild hybrid fuel cell power systems for electric vehicles

This paper considers the evaluation of a configuration of solar-hydrogen mild hybrid fuel cell power systems for electric vehicles. The primary objectives are to relieve the prerequisite need on the infrastructure for hydrogen supply and reduce the cost of fuel cell module compared to the conventional fuel cell electric vehicles. The advantage of the proposed vehicle power system configuration is addressed in terms of the criteria of availability and affordability. Availability considers issues of energy resource and engineering technology. Affordability considers issues of operational cost and environmental cost. With regard to issues of implementation, a cost-benefit ratio is defined and used to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed mild hybrid power systems. A demonstration is conducted based on four exemplary vehicles. The value of the computed cost-benefit ratio can be used to determine the suitability of implementation of the proposed configuration of a hybrid power system for electric vehicles. The presented costs are based on per/unit prices as cited by manufacturers on the Internet and are useable guidelines for further development. In actual practice, substantial further efforts would be needed to facilitate safe, reliable cost-efficient operation of the proposed system.

► Evaluate solar-hydrogen mild hybrid fuel cell power system for electric vehicles.
► Relieve infrastructure need for hydrogen and reduce cost of fuel cell module.
► Address energy resource, engineering technology, operation and environment cost.
► Evaluate feasibility in terms of cost-benefit ratio.
► Demonstrate based on four exemplary vehicles.