Experimental activities on a PEFC based powertrain for a hybrid electric minibus

With the aim to follow the National and European regulations related to the transport field numerous initiatives have given rise to studies and analyses of low/zero environmental impact powertrain. Many investments have been made in the electric vehicles (BEVs-Batteries Electric Vehicles) field although these still present limits related to low range of autonomy and long charging times. The minibus realized by CNR ITAE within the "i-NEXT" project (funded by Italian Ministry of Educational, University and Research) has a hybrid electric powertrain based on fuel cell (FC) technology and lithium batteries (FCHEV - Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The present work reports the tests drive in which different conditions of the operating range have been verified. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.