Modelling of full electric and hybrid electric fuel cells buses

Future road transports will increasingly move towards zero emissions. Although electric bus technology is available today, low energy density of lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries is a major drawback, leading to higher vehicle mass and range limitations. Hybrid buses, with more energy dense storage, appear as an easier transition from fossil fuels towards zero local emissions. Main objective of the research is drive systems' modelling and calculating energy consumption for public buses. Simulations were conducted in MATLAB/Simulink by modelling fuel cells and li-ion batteries where power consumption is driven by the instantaneous power demand of a bus on a given route. The simulation output includes the output power, energy consumption, efficiency, energy storage system requirements and refuelling times. The model can iterate energy storage options, to determine effects on system efficiency. Simulation results show that hybrid fuel cells buses offer up to 75% mass reduction, up to 43% volume reduction, with faster refuelling time, over battery only systems. This study provides a tool that allows comparison of multiple bus configuration for any route, on the path of viable, efficient and environmentally friendly transport system.