The project is a response to a government effort to push hydrogen transportation technology closer to significant market adoption over the next 10 years. The team completed the final design, integration and delivery of the two prototype hydrogen utility vehicles for a 12-month operational demonstration at Defense Distribution Depot Warner Robins, Georgia.

In Phase I of the project, the team conducted an engineering design analysis to identify and compare potential hydrogen storage technologies, fuel cell options, electrical energy storage and powertrain architectures for use on an electric utility vehicle. The analysis identified trade-offs in performance for each of the options, including weight, volume, cost, safety and commercialization potential.

The analysis led to a report comparing the resulting vehicle to a vehicle operating on the latest batteries. Based on the results, the team selected an 8.5 kW fuel cell hybrid configuration, including 350-bar high-pressure hydrogen storage and ultracapacitors for energy storage as the best drive train option for this application.

The team was selected to build, test and demonstrate the vehicles under Phase II of the program. Performance and reliability data will be collected throughout the 12-month pilot for evaluation and potential for future markets.

The CEM is also working with the Defense Logistics Agency to convert additional operational vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell technologies.