Modeling, downsizing, and performance comparison of a fuel cell hybrid mid-size car with FCEV for urban and hill road driving cycles

A fuel cell hybrid (FCH) mid-size car is modeled and simulated in Advanced Vehicle Simulator (ADVISOR), the results are compared with 2017 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) to examine the capability of hybridization and compare the fuel economy of the modeled vehicle. The aim of this analysis is to understand the energy interactions of the fuel cell and batteries and to identify an optimal energy management. In the current modeling, the fuel cell power is downsized by 30% with a corresponding increase in the number of battery modules by 50% to compensate the fuel cell power by maintaining the same motor power demand. The Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) and mountain driving cycle (NREL2VAIL) test cycles are considered to estimate the fuel economy for urban and hill road driving conditions. The FCH mid-size car achieves better performance in terms of acceleration and equivalent fuel economy in comparison with 2017 Toyota Mirai FCEV. The effectiveness of the optimal energy management of the hybrid FC/battery powertrain performance is better and validated with the 2017 Toyota Mirai FCEV.