Evaluation of Electric Vehicles as an Alternative for Work Trip and ...

Developments after Conclusion of Project
In late 1998, members of the CCEVDP suggested the ALAB car be used
to test another type of battery and a wintertime fuel-fired heater.
Also, there were discussions with a fuel cell manufacturer about a
possible evaluation of a preproduction prototype hydrogen fuel cell
functioning as a range extender for the EV. A private EV Specialist
analyzed several possible fuel-cell/EV combinations in November 1997.
In our simplified analysis, the EV operated as a conventional
battery/electric car. A small on-board fuel cell was started after
sufficient DOD occurred during the drive. Thereafter, the fuel cell was
assumed to run continuously, delivering energy to the battery. The
results suggested that even a very small fuel cell could supplement
battery capacity and double or even quadruple the driving range of the
subcompact EV.
The Department converted the ALAB car to nickel cadmium batteries
(NiCd) in 1999, which were anticipated to provide four years or more of
service. The NiCd pack consists of 26 six-volt batteries (156 V) and
cost approximately 34% more that the 1998 cost for the ALAB. A
favorable battery-replacement cost-per-mile parameter is anticipated,
which would be lower than for the CSLAB car if the NiCd battery were as
long-lived as is claimed. The claimed range of the car is 70 miles per
charge. That evaluation is anticipated to be completed in four years.
New Jersey DOT initiated a research project with the EV
specialist, a New Jersey fuel cell manufacturer and others to
investigate the concept of a fuel-cell range extender. New Jersey
installed NiCd batteries in their fuel-cell hybrid EV. Their car was
unveiled at the 1999 ATdS.
40