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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.

Hydrogen technologies are among the main candidates to reduce carbon emissions in the automotive transport sector. Among the innovative solutions, Electric Vehicles (EVs) featuring hybrid powertrains, combining battery packs and hydrogen Fuel Cell (FC) stacks, are gaining prominence in our pursuit of sustainability objectives. Nonetheless, realizing the full potential of these hybrid vehicles hinges on the implementation of efficient Energy Management Strategies (EMS). In this study, we present an integrated EMS approach to achieve extended driving ranges and reduced energy consumption. This is achieved primarily by operating the FC within its high-efficiency range, while ensuring that the battery packs operate in a charge-sustaining mode. The EMS is crafted through an adaptive algorithm that takes into account various driving conditions to establish the most suitable sub-optimal control strategy.