Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power Unit for Hybrid Vehicles and Electric Vehicles

This paper will describe Delphi’s vision for an advanced class of powertrain employing a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). The use of the APU can replace or significantly reduce the size of the battery in a hybrid vehicle thereby improving performance and fuel economy. Detailed modeling illustrates how an electric vehicle with an APU can achieve the range and performance of conventional vehicles with substantially improved fuel economy and inherently low emissions. With Delphi’s on-board reforming technology to provide the fuel for the SOFC, these propulsion systems can be achieved in the near-term using conventional fuels without being dependent upon, but perhaps promoting, the development of a hydrogen-fuel infrastructure.