Search Results

Pedal Assisted Bicycles (PAB) popularity is fast growing in urban areas due to their low energy consumption and environmental impact. In fact, when electrically moved, they are zero emission vehicles with very low noise emissions as well. These positive characteristics could be even improved by coupling a PAB with a fuel cell based power generation system, so increasing the vehicle autonomy without influencing their emissions and consumption performances. In this paper a conceptual Fuel Cell Pedal Assisted Bicycle (FC-PAB) design with compact metal hydride hydrogen storage is analysed by means of a mixed experimental and numerical approach. Even though the power source integration for such a vehicle is simpler than that for a car, it still represents a challenging effort maximizing PAB vehicle autonomy and minimizing, at the same time, its weight.