Plug-In HEV Roadmap to Hydrogen Economy

Abstract

Regenerative fuel cells (RFCs) as small as 1 kW can be useful on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) when used to extend the range of the PHEV’s battery pack. Eight hours of charging with a 1 kW RFC can double the range of a 4 kWh battery pack and would cost less than the alternative of placing an addition 4 kWh battery pack on the vehicle. Application of this approach on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is an entry position for fuel cells in the automobile market. From this entry position and the assumption of lower future fuel cell prices, an evolutionary path exists for fuel cells to decrease the price of vehicles, reduce reliance on petroleum fuels, and ultimately fully displace the use of petroleum fuels in automobiles.