In the EU, CODž emissions of newly registered heavy-duty
commercial veLicles mYst Fe redYced Fy Ż Fy .
An AVL innovative fuel cell demonstrator truck shows
how this can be achieved.
Lighthouse Project
for Heavy-Duty
Transport
lobally, heavy-duty transport is responsible for more
than one third of the combined CODž emissions of
passenger cars, trucks, and buses. To meet the EU’s
climate objectives, emissions in the heavy-duty (HD) segment
need to Fe redYced significantly liOe otLer moFility sectors.
In addition to battery-electric propulsion and hydrogen
combustion engines, fuel cell technology is coming to the
fore. AVL is actively driving its development and showcasing
a visionary AVL fuel cell technology demonstrator truck. The
internal research project demonstrates innovative solutions for
various challenges. The donor vehicle is a standard European
tractor unit for long-haul transport.
Digital Twin for Efficient Development
AVL’s demonstrator truck highlights the potential of
Lydrogen tecLnology and illYstrates tLe most eƾcient
development process possible. The decisive factor
here is the intelligent implementation of AVL simulation
methodology for optimizing duration, costs, and quality.
Creating a Digital Twin of the original system allows data-
based decisions to be made at an early stage. The systems
are validated repeatedly to identify potential issues early on
and to develop solutions. In addition to standard and MiL/
SiL/HiL simulations, various testbed superstructures are
available for the individual vehicle systems.
The Digital Twin is especially crucial at the start of vehicle
development since many parameters are uncertain, such as
fuel cell performance, battery size, or volume of hydrogen
stored in the vehicle. The overall costs of the propulsion
system are also YsYally Yndefined at tLis Toint.
At the start of the development process, the AVL tools
can be parameterized with relatively little information. For
e\amTle, Onowing tLe eƾciency cYrve oJ tLe JYel cell, tLe
charging and discharge characteristics of the battery, and
an eƾciency range oJ tLe TroTYlsion system is sYƾcient
for gaining initial valuable results. If required, additional
information on known standard systems can also be taken
from AVL databases.
“Our solutions combine
best performance,
atractive costs and
optimum efficiency.”
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