Abstract:

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are one of the main options considered as possible future alternatives to conventional vehicles. The paper evaluates a light-duty FCEV under both laboratory and on-road conditions. Hydrogen consumption and vehicle efficiency were measured under various driving and temperature conditions. Results show hydrogen consumption between 0.975 kg/100 km and 1.5 kg/100 km, close to the officially declared value. A new, extended formulation of vehicle efficiency is proposed to consider different energy streams in the vehicle. Vehicle indicative efficiency remained between 50% and 60% in the majority of cases. The paper explores the potential of a fuel cell system, Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation TOol (VECTO), as a viable alternative to battery electric vehicles for commercial urban and rural applications.