Opportunities and Barriers of Hydrogen–Electric Hybrid Powertrain Vans: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The environmental impact of the road transport sector, together with urban freight transport growth, has a notable repercussions in global warming, health and economy. The need to reduce emissions caused by fossil fuel dependence and to foster the use of renewable energy sources has driven the development of zero-emissions powertrains. These clean transportation technologies are not only necessary to move people but to transport the increasing demand for goods and services that is currently taking place in the larger cities. Full electric battery-powered vans seem to be the best-placed solution to the problem. However, despite the progress in driving range and recharge options, those and other market barriers remain unsolved and the current market share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is not significant. Based on the development of hydrogen fuel cell stacks, this work explains an emerging powertrain architecture concept for N1 class type vans, that combines a battery-electric configuration with a fuel cell stack powered by hydrogen that works as a range extender (FC-EREV). A literature review is conducted, with the aim to shed light on the possibilities of this hybrid light-duty commercial van for metropolitan delivery tasks, providing insights into the key factors and issues for sizing the powertrain components and fuel management strategies to meet metropolitan freight fleet needs.

Development of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Prototype Vehicle Supported by Artificial Intelligence for Green Urban Transport

“…BEVs are another possible low-emission alternate to fossil fuel ICE vehicles and are reported to be more effective than FCVs (Figure 2). Currently, both technologies are affected by the high costs, limited service life, lack of appropriate charging infrastructure, and restricted availability of key raw materials; however, significant advantages of FCVs are unmodified consumer behavior and driving range, even in the case of vans; short refueling time; and stable operation at both high and low temperatures [18]. Hydrogen can be a solution for the abovementioned problems; it has the highest Higher Heating Value (HHV) in MJ/kg of all the fuels and the product of its combustion is only water, which makes it favorable in different areas such as transport, energy storage, electricity production, and residential applications [9,11].…”

“…BEVs are another possible low-emission alternate to fossil fuel ICE vehicles and are reported to be more effective than FCVs (Figure 2). Currently, both technologies are affected by the high costs, limited service life, lack of appropriate charging infrastructure, and restricted availability of key raw materials; however, significant advantages of FCVs are unmodified consumer behavior and driving range, even in the case of vans; short refueling time; and stable operation at both high and low temperatures [18].…”

Exponential Curve-Based Control Strategy for Auxiliary Equipment Power Supply Systems in Railways

“…It has severe impacts on human health as well as global climate change. Therefore, their rapid replacement by electric-powered automobiles is accelerating, and the demand for electric vehicles is increasing at a rapid pace [5]. EVs are dominating the market because of their low operating and maintenance cost, zero-tailpipe emission, and high efficiency.…”

An overview of hydrogen prospects: Economic, technical and policy considerations

“…Much of the existing literature on hydrogen economics has focused on the break-even supply cost of hydrogen-stored energy, which is generally dependent on the production technologies beings used, scale of production, distribution networks and regional idiosyncratic factors-see Castillo et al (2020); Apostolou and Xydis (2019); Rosen and Koohi-Fayegh (2016) for reviews, and Section 2 of this paper for our own review.…”