Hydrogen-fueled postal vehicle performance evaluation
A hydrogen-fueled postal delivery vehicle has been evaluated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the US Department of Energy and the US Postal Service (USPS). The vehicle was modified for USPS by the Billings Energy Corporation. The report describes the test vehicle, the tests performed, the fueling technique, the test results, and discusses observed vehicle limitations. The evaluation was based on the vehicle's fuel consumption, range, and emissions. These data were obtained while operating the vehicle over a defined Postal Service Driving Cycle and the 1975 Urban Driving Cycle. The vehicle's fuel consumption was 0.366 pounds of hydrogen per mile over the postal driving cycle and 0.22 pounds of hydrogen per mile over the Urban Driving Cycle. These data correspond to 6.2 and 10.6 mpg equivalent gasoline mileage for the two driving cycles, respectively. The vehicle's range was 24.2 miles while being operated on the postal driving cycle. Vehicle emissions were measured over the Urban Driving Cycle. HC and CO emissions were quite low, as would be expected. The oxides of nitrogen were found to be 4.86 gm/mi, a value which is well above the current Federal and California standards. The discussion of vehicle limitations includes comments about the excessive engine flashbacks, inadequate acceleration capability, the engine air/fuel ratio, the water injection system, and the cab temperature. Some of the other concerns discussed are safety considerations, iron-titanium hydride observed in the fuel system, evidence of water in the engine rocker cover, and the vehicle maintenance required during the evaluation.
- Research Organization:
- California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Jet Propulsion Lab. (JPL)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EX-76-A-31-1011
- OSTI ID:
- 5951478
- Report Number(s):
- JPL-PUBL-79-55
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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