Title: Energy management techniques for fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles: a critical review

Authors: Nitin B. Sawant; A.S. Veerendra; R. Shivarudrawamy; Yogesh V. Mahadik; Aymen Flah

Addresses: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India ' Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India ' Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India ' Department of Electrical Engineering, Government Polytechnic, Malvan, Maharashtra, India ' Processes, Energy, Environment and Electrical Systems (LR18ES34), National Engineering School of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabes 6072, Tunisia; MEU Research Unit, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan; Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan; The Private Higher School of Applied Sciences and Technology of Gabes (ESSAT), University 25 of Gabes, Tunisia

Abstract: This article presents a hybrid energy system using fuel cells (FCs). The shortcomings of the pure fuel cell vehicle able to be made up for by the fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle (FCHEV), which combines different energy sources. However, the operation mode of the power system becomes more intricate due to the presence of different sources of energy. Consequently, one of the key tools for the FCHEV is developing methods to run various energy sources efficiently and consistently. This work introduces a methodical arrangement of FCHEV's topologies and discusses the characteristics of different structures. Next, an examination of the FCHEV's energy management strategies (EMSs) in comparison is given, encompassing rule-based, optimisation-based, and advanced learning-based EMSs. Lastly, studies on fuel cell energy management conducted over the past ten years is summed up based on various topologies and EMSs, and the statistical analysis approach is used to further assess the development trend of EMSs. For researchers working on EMSs, this serves as a useful framework for summarising the present issues and advancement patterns of EMSs.

Keywords: fuel cells; hybrid electric vehicles; HEVs; energy management system; EMS; batteries; artificial intelligence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPT.2025.147067

International Journal of Powertrains, 2025 Vol.14 No.1, pp.1 - 28

Received: 08 Sep 2024
Accepted: 29 Sep 2024
Published online: 10 Jul 2025 *

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