A Review of Fuel Cell Powertrains for Long-Haul Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Technology, Hydrogen, Energy and Thermal Management Solutions

Shantanu Pardhi, Sajib Chakraborty, Dai-Duong Tran, Mohamed El Baghdadi, Steven Wilkins and Omar Hegazy ()
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Shantanu Pardhi: ETEC Department & MOBI-EPOWERS Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
Sajib Chakraborty: ETEC Department & MOBI-EPOWERS Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
Dai-Duong Tran: ETEC Department & MOBI-EPOWERS Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
Mohamed El Baghdadi: ETEC Department & MOBI-EPOWERS Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
Steven Wilkins: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO, Automotive Campus 30, 5708 JZ Helmond, The Netherlands
Omar Hegazy: ETEC Department & MOBI-EPOWERS Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 24, 1-55

Abstract: Long-haul heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and coaches, contribute to a substantial portion of the modern-day European carbon footprint and pose a major challenge in emissions reduction due to their energy-intensive usage. Depending on the hydrogen fuel source, the use of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) for long-haul applications has shown significant potential in reducing road freight CO 2 emissions until the possible maturity of future long-distance battery-electric mobility. Fuel cell heavy-duty (HD) propulsion presents some specific characteristics, advantages and operating constraints, along with the notable possibility of gains in powertrain efficiency and usability through improved system design and intelligent onboard energy and thermal management. This paper provides an overview of the FCEV powertrain topology suited for long-haul HD applications, their operating limitations, cooling requirements, waste heat recovery techniques, state-of-the-art in powertrain control, energy and thermal management strategies and over-the-air route data based predictive powertrain management including V2X connectivity. A case study simulation analysis of an HD 40-tonne FCEV truck is also presented, focusing on the comparison of powertrain losses and energy expenditures in different subsystems while running on VECTO Regional delivery and Longhaul cycles. The importance of hydrogen fuel production pathways, onboard storage approaches, refuelling and safety standards, and fleet management is also discussed. Through a comprehensive review of the H 2 fuel cell powertrain technology, intelligent energy management, thermal management requirements and strategies, and challenges in hydrogen production, storage and refuelling, this article aims at helping stakeholders in the promotion and integration of H 2 FCEV technology towards road freight decarbonisation.

Keywords: heavy-duty transport; long-haul; fuel cell electric vehicle; decarbonisation; hydrogen mobility; FCEV topology; energy management; powertrain control; V2X; thermal management; fuel cell waste heat recovery; HD FCEV energy audit; energy losses; hydrogen production; hydrogen refuelling; hydrogen safety standards; fleet management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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