Green Fleet of Fuel Cell Powered Light Utility Vehicles: An Energy Analysis

This paper provides insights into the feasibility of clean energy sources for light utility vehicles (LUVs). First, energy analysis for the fleet of LUVs for a small college are presented. Secondly, the energy implications for a larger (>100) fleet of LUVs, and finally for the whole of the United States are presented. The technologies discussed include producing pure hydrogen, leaving no carbon footprint and replacing the internal combustion engine or the battery powered drive system with fuel-cell engines. Except for the clean production of usable amounts of hydrogen, all other processes are developing, but proven technologies. The possibilities of the transition from fossil fuel to hydrogen powered LUVs is limited by hydrogen production technology and fuel cell costs. These limitations will be addressed. The paper will conclude by analyzing the fossil fuel savings associated with a transition to hydrogen fuel for small, intermediate and large scale fleets of LUVs.