Development of a Fuel Cell Hybrid Low-Speed Electric Vehicle Testing Facility

A dynamometer system for testing fuel cell hybrid low-speed electric vehicles (FCHLSEVs) is developed in this work. The system is designed to assist in the analysis and development of FCHLSEVs as well as in the validation of current vehicle performance modeling methods. It will be used as a design and evaluation tool for various vehicular fuel cell power systems and low-speed electric vehicles. The system consists of: roller units, eddy-current absorber and controller, a custom platform for housing, custom connection and adjustment parts, data acquisition electronics and software, and research software. The paper presents the dynamometer system design; the mechanics model of low-speed vehicles and their testing methods that is used in the design and optimization of FCHLSEV, and the operation of the dynamometer system; the designed dynamometer platform and its variations for testing of various FCHLSEVs, including fuel cell battery hybrid electric scooters and utility vehicles. The work provides a unique research tool for developing the mathematical models and carrying out the design optimization of FCHLSEVs