Abstract
The growing need for sustainable transportation solutions has led to significant advances in fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHVs). A critical aspect of FCHV performance is the energy management strategy (EMS) used to optimize the power distribution between the fuel cell, battery and electric motor. This paper presents a novel rule-based energy management strategy designed to improve the efficiency and longevity of fuel cell hybrid vehicles. The proposed strategy leverages a set of predefined rules to manage the energy flow, prioritizing the operation of the fuel cell within the optimal efficiency range, while effectively utilizing the battery to meet transient power demands and regenerative braking. Simulation results show that the rule-based EMS significantly improves fuel economy and reduces hydrogen consumption. This research contributes to the wider adoption of FCHVs in the transportation sector by providing a robust framework for developing practical EMS solutions.