Zero-emission: Fuel cell-battery hybrid
To be on the move in the least resource-demanding way possible, the SLRV possesses, in addition to the very light body, a highly efficient hybrid drivetrain. The SLRV’s drivetrain contains a small fuel cell with 8.5 kilowatt continuous output and a battery that delivers an additional 25 kilowatts for acceleration and can also recuperate energy through regenerative breaking. This combination weighs less than conventional battery systems, provides a range of around 400 kilometers (250 miles) and allows a top speed of 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour. Also on board between the two seats is a 39-liter pressure tank capable of storing 1.6 kilograms of hydrogen at 700 bar.
Use examples and further development
The occupancy of passenger cars in German road traffic lies on average at 1.46 persons [BUN2018]. The SLRV was therefore purposefully designed to be a light two-seater that, due to its low energy consumption and fuel cell system, nevertheless offers a comparatively long range. Consequently, the SLRV is suitable, for example, as a commuter car, shuttle to local public transport, car-sharing vehicle or company car – particularly in outer city or suburban areas. It could be a supplement to public transportation in the suburbs or the countryside, can be used as a second car and is well suited for car-sharing services due to the fast refueling with hydrogen.
Regarding the purchase price, the SLRV team at this time is assuming it will be about 15,000 euros. With an expected service life of ten years and a mileage of 300,000 kilometers (190,000 miles), that works out to about ten cents per kilometer.
Talks are currently being held with companies with the aim of further developing the SLRV into a vehicle for series production. In addition, a memorandum of understanding has already been signed with the hydrogen fueling company Blu Power.
References
[FRI2010] Friedrich, H. E., & Hülsebusch, D. (2010). Elektro-Fahrzeugkonzepte und Leichtbau, ZfAW Zeitschrift für die gesamte Wertschöpfungskette Automobilwirtschaft 4/2010
[BRU2017] Brückmann, S.: Strukturen zur Energieumwandlung in Polyurethanschaum-Aluminium-Sandwich Bauweise unter Berücksichtigung spezifischer Versagensmodi, Dissertation, Feb. 2017
[ECK2011] Eckstein, L.; Göbbels, R.; et al.: Analyse sekundärer Gewichtseinsparpotenziale in Kraftfahrzeugen, ATZ 01/2011
[KRI2019] Kriescher, M.; Scheibe, S.; et al.: Development of the Safe Light Regional Vehicle (SLRV) vehicle concept within the DLR Next Generation Car (NGC) project. 32nd Electric Vehicle Symposium, Lyon (2019)
[BUN2018] www.bundestag.de/webarchiv/presse/hib/2018_03/548536-548536, accessed 2022.08.29
Author:
Michael Kriescher
DLR-Institut für Fahrzeugkonzepte, Stuttgart, Germany
Michael.Kriescher@dlr.de
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