A Comprehensive Modelling tool for Heavy-Duty Hybrid Fuel Cell/Battery Powertrains

The global transition towards sustainable transportation is driving the development of efficient, low-emission propulsion systems. Battery-electric solutions are effective in urban contexts but face limitations in heavy-duty and long-haul applications due to the size and weight of the required energy storage. Hybrid battery/fuel cell powertrains offer a promising alternative for such use case, reducing vehicle mass and charging times while maintaining high energy efficiency. This study presents a zero-dimensional MATLAB/Simulink model of a parallel hybrid fuel cell/battery system for heavy-duty vehicles. The model encompasses the main vehicle subsystems, including the fuel cell stack with auxiliaries, the battery pack, the electric drive, the transmission and vehicle longitudinal dynamics, coordinated through a rule-based energy management strategy. Two representative vehicle configurations were analysed: a Group 2 urban delivery vehicle, and a Group 5 long-haul truck. Model validation was performed using VECTO as a reference, the reference European Union’s tool for estimating energy consumption in heavy-duty vehicles. A graphical user interface (GUI) enables users to modify vehicle parameters and run customized simulations. Results demonstrate that the model accurately reproduces heavy-duty vehicle behaviour for both truck models, providing a versatile and accessible tool for engineers, researchers, and students.