Most automakers have abandoned hydrogen fuel cells for light-duty vehicles, but a couple doggedly press on. Peugeot is experimenting with a middle course. The new Peugeot e-Expert Hydrogen is a compact utility van that combines a hydrogen fuel cell with a small battery pack.

The e-Expert Hydrogen is based on Peugeot Citroën’s EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform). It includes: a hydrogen fuel cell, located in the front engine compartment; 3 hydrogen storage tanks located under the floor, with a total capacity of 4.4 kg at a pressure of 700 bar; a lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 10.5 kWh and maximum power of 90 kW; a three-phase 11 kW on-board charger; and a permanent magnet electric motor with 100 kW of power and 260 N·m of torque.

The operation of the system is apparently much like that of a series/parallel hybrid: at start-up and at low speeds, the battery pack drives the motor; at steady speed the fuel cell drives the motor; during acceleration the fuel cell and the battery can combine to drive the motor; and a regenerative braking system returns energy to the battery pack.

Peugeot plans to offer the e-Expert Hydrogen directly to professional customers in France and Germany, beginning around the end of 2021.

Source: Green Car Congress