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Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles: Comparing the Powertrain Efficiency and Sustainability of Fuel Cell versus Internal Combustion Engine Cars

Author

Listed:
  • Kirill Durkin

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Ali Khanafer

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Philip Liseau

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Adam Stjernström-Eriksson

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Arvid Svahn

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Linnéa Tobiasson

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Tatiana Santos Andrade

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Jimmy Ehnberg

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden)

Abstract

Due to the large quantities of carbon emissions generated by the transportation sector, cleaner automotive technologies are needed aiming at a green energy transition. In this scenario, hydrogen is pointed out as a promising fuel that can be employed as the fuel of either a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine vehicle. Therefore, in this work, we propose the design and modeling of a fuel cell versus an internal combustion engine passenger car for a driving cycle. The simulation was carried out using the quasistatic simulation toolbox tool in Simulink considering the main powertrain components for each vehicle. Furthermore, a brief analysis of the carbon emissions associated with the hydrogen production method is addressed to assess the clean potential of hydrogen-powered vehicles compared to conventional fossil fuel-fueled cars. The resulting analysis has shown that the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is almost twice as efficient compared to internal combustion engines, resulting in a lower fuel consumption of 1.05 kg-H 2 /100 km in the WLTP driving cycle for the fuel cell vehicle, while the combustion vehicle consumed about 1.79 kg-H 2 /100 km. Regarding using different hydrogen colors to fuel the vehicle, hydrogen-powered vehicles fueled with blue and grey hydrogen presented higher carbon emissions compared to petrol-powered vehicles reaching up to 2–3 times higher in the case of grey hydrogen. Thus, green hydrogen is needed as fuel to keep carbon emissions lower than conventional petrol-powered vehicles.

Suggested Citation

  • Kirill Durkin & Ali Khanafer & Philip Liseau & Adam Stjernström-Eriksson & Arvid Svahn & Linnéa Tobiasson & Tatiana Santos Andrade & Jimmy Ehnberg, 2024. "Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles: Comparing the Powertrain Efficiency and Sustainability of Fuel Cell versus Internal Combustion Engine Cars," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:5:p:1085-:d:1345200
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fridtjof Unander, 2005. "Energy indicators and sustainable development: The International Energy Agency approach," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 29(4), pages 377-391, November.
    2. Zheng, Yuejiu & Ouyang, Minggao & Lu, Languang & Li, Jianqiu & Han, Xuebing & Xu, Liangfei & Ma, Hongbin & Dollmeyer, Thomas A. & Freyermuth, Vincent, 2013. "Cell state-of-charge inconsistency estimation for LiFePO4 battery pack in hybrid electric vehicles using mean-difference model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 571-580.
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