Power train for fuel-efficient urban concept hydrogen vehicle

Fuel efficiency is an important factor of vehicles and in this aspect a power train has been developed and constructed for the purpose of making a fuel-efficient urban concept hydrogen vehicle. A mathematical model of the vehicle was developed in order to design and optimize the power train for high efficiency. The main component in the power train is a hydrogen fuelled PEM fuel cell stack that supplies power to a permanent magnet DC motor, which delivers propulsion for the vehicle. Furthermore an innovative hydrogen supply system concept was designed in order to eliminate losses of hydrogen to the exhaust and to keep optimal humidification on the anode side of the fuel cells. The power train achieved an average efficiency of 44 %. Participation in the fuel efficiency competitions under the "Shell Eco-Marathon" umbrella produced fuel efficiencies up to 731 km per litre gasoline energy equivalent at 30 km/h. The prior calculated fuel efficiencies, by help of the mathematical model, were consistent with the practically obtained results.