With a powerful launch into test operations, the FC-Bat-Truck is bringing fresh momentum to the Innovation Campus Future Mobility (ICM). The innovative fuel cell-battery hybrid truck serves as one of ICM’s future labs, providing shared research infrastructure for companies and institutions in Baden-Württemberg. As a mobile research laboratory, it enables detailed studies on various levels of hybridization and their interplay with available charging and refueling systems.
Maiden Voyage of the FC-Bat-Truck
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10 Tons of Cutting-Edge Research with a Fuel Cell-Battery Drive
Eco-Friendly Hybrid Drive for Maximum Efficiency
The FC-Bat-Truck integrates a high-performance battery system with a fuel cell that converts hydrogen into electricity. In this process, hydrogen reacts with oxygen, producing only pure water as a byproduct.
This hybrid solution combines the strengths of both technologies, making it particularly suitable for heavy-duty applications:
- Extended Range: Significantly longer driving distances than battery-electric vehicles with comparable charging times.
- Fast Refueling: Hydrogen tanks can be refilled in just minutes, making them ideal for long-haul operations.
- High Torque: The combination of battery and fuel cell power ensures instant torque – perfect for transporting heavy loads.
- Reduced Weight: Compared to large battery packs, hydrogen tanks enable a higher payload capacity.
In real-world conditions, the FC-Bat-Truck demonstrates its capabilities: A 170 kW e-motor and transmission unit ensures reliable performance in urban traffic, on highways, and even on steep inclines. The fuel cell system continuously delivers up to 76 kW – ideal for sustained operation – while the battery system provides additional peak power depending on the hybridization level.
A Flexible Research Platform for Hybrid Drives
Equipped with a fuel cell-battery hybrid powertrain, the truck serves as a comprehensive research platform. Its subsystems are easily accessible, allowing quick replacement of components such as the air compressor or hydrogen recirculation pump. This setup enables in-depth analysis of how individual components affect overall system performance, as well as how different hybridization levels impact energy and power management.
With its integrated control software, researchers can not only simulate various battery and fuel cell outputs but also virtually configure and test different battery capacities and hydrogen tank sizes.
As a mobile lab, the FC-Bat-Truck is not just an expansion of research infrastructure in Baden-Württemberg - it also plays a crucial role in knowledge and technology transfer. By advancing hybrid powertrain components, it provides companies with a unique opportunity to validate their systems under real-world conditions, accelerating product development and innovation.
Project partners involved:
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KIT: Institute of Product Engineering (IPEK, Dr.-Ing. Haußmann)
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University of Stuttgart: Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ILEA, Prof. Roth‐Stielow)