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All fuel cells currently being developed for nearβ’ term use in electric vehicles require hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen can be stored directly or produced on-board the vehicle by reforming methanol, or hydrocarbon fuels derived from crude oil (e.g. gasoline, diesel or middle distillates). The vehicle design is simpler with direct hydrogen storage, but requires development of a more complex refueling infrastructure. This paper presents modelling results comparing three leading options for fuel storage on-board fuel cell vehicles: (a) compressed gas hydrogen storage; (b) on-board steam reforming of methanol; and (c) on-board partial oxidation (POX) of hydrocarbon fuels derived from crude oil. We have developed a fuel cell vehicle model, including detailed models of on-board fuel processors. This allows us to compare die vehicle performance, fuel economy, weight and cost for various vehicle parameters, fuel storage choices and driving cycles. The ' infrastructure requirements are also compared for gaseous hydrogen, methanol and gasoline, including the added costs of fuel production, storage, distribution and refueling stations. The delivered fuel cost, total lifecycle cost of transportation, and capital cost of infrastructure development are estimated for each alternative. Considering both vehicle and infrastructure issues, possible fuel strategies leading to the commercialisation of fuel cell vehicles are discussed.
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