FCV Evaluation

HORIBA supports customers' development and manufacturing with a wide range of technologies, from powertrain evaluation of fuel cell vehicles (FCV or FCEV) to solutions for efficient system calibration, as well as engineering services for prototyping a single vehicle.

Hydrogen fuel cells are one of the most promising zero-emission green technologies and offer many advantages over combustion engines, with up to 60% efficiency in converting the chemical energy of the fuel into electrical energy.

 In the development of FCVs, the performance of the fuel cell as a power source must be optimized and safely integrated into the powertrain system. The development of FCVs not only requires a sophisticated series of evaluation systems, from components such as fuel cells and motors to the powertrain and complete vehicle, but also requires appropriate and efficient evaluations.

 

Table of Contents

Challenges in FCV/EV Development

A major challenge is to make energy available more efficiently, more stably, and at lower cost. In the development of automobiles, the systems that make up the vehicle have become significantly more complex, including electrification of the vehicle with fuel cells and batteries, as well as hybrid systems that also use internal combustion engines. As a result, issues have emerged that significantly bloat development man-hours. The key to solve this issue is the efficient optimization of systems.


Global Initiatives

Many countries are stepping up their efforts to electrify its vehicles in order to realize a carbon-neutral society. The requirements for fuel cell stack components and materials, such as quick output response, are becoming higher especially for FCVs. In addition, temperature control of fuel cell stacks is also an important issue to improve fuel cell efficiency and reduce fuel cell degradation. While Japan leads the developments for light duty FCVs, Europe, the U.S. and China, the fuel cell system is expected to be used in heavy duty vehicles which will require high durability.

Viritech's Apricaleâ„¢ Hydrogen Hypercar is under Development at MIRA Technology Park

Viritech is a UK-based start-up company developing a range of hydrogen-based mobility products. Viritech is located at the MIRA Technology Park, one of Europe's leading mobility research and development centers for the latest automotive technologies, and will develop the hydrogen hypercar "Apricaleâ„¢" with comprehensive engineering and consulting support from HORIBA MIRA.

Details: Press Release "Viritech's Apricaleâ„¢ hydrogen hypercar to be developed at MIRA Technology Park"


Our Unique "Measurement and Analysis" Technology

We provide total solutions for overall development and evaluation of FCVs and other electric vehicles, from components to vehicle systems, by combining our long-years of engine and drivetrain measurement technology with newly acquired fuel cell and battery measurement technology, as well as nano-level material analysis, gas control, water quality monitoring and other technologies.

Fuel Cell Performance Evaluation/ FCV Powertrain Evaluation

Fuel Cell Test System Evaluator Series are ideal for testing and evaluating from single cell to full stack and fuel cell systems for mobility applications. In addition to performance evaluation, durability evaluation and accelerated degradation tests are performed based on high safety standards.
Evaluator Series analyzes the behavior of cells and stacks of fuel cell to optimize fuel cell system design. In addition, Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (HiLS) can simulate the load effects of fuel cell systems.

Especially for FCV development, HORIBA's long-standing knowledge of powertrain and driveline development and HORIBA FuelCon's comprehensive expertise in automotive fuel cells can also be used to create test environments for small and large FCV powertrain development. For more information, please check Turnkey Solutions and Risk Assessment.

HORIBA Solution >>
Fuel Cell Test System Evaluator Series

Test in the Loopâ„¢* - Enables accurate performance verification and system optimization of components and systems during vehicle development and design

Test in the Loopâ„¢* - Enables accurate performance verification and system optimization of components and systems during vehicle development and design

Efficiency Improvement of System Calibration and On-Road Testing

We offer Test in the Loopâ„¢*, a development concept for evaluating components and vehicle systems under realistic operating conditions by freely connecting actual equipments or models of batteries, motors, powertrains, engines, and vehicles as well as evaluation equipment. Test in the Loop enables highly accurate performance verification and optimization of components and systems during the vehicle development and design phase.

*Test in the Loop is a trademark or registered trademark of HORIBA, Ltd.

Our proprietary "RDE+ (Plus)" is an application that improves efficiency of on-road testing. RDE+ frontloads the design, development, verification and evaluation of vehicle models and actual vehicles by reproducing on-road tests of various vehicles, including FCVs, on a platform such as a chassis test cell or virtually to support the optimization and efficiency improvement of the vehicle development process.

HORIBA Solution >>
"RDE+" Application for On-road Resting of Actual Road Tests


Engineering Support

HORIBA MIRA's Engineering Services for Electric Vehicle Development

HORIBA MIRA provides engineering services to bring energy-efficient electric and hybrid vehicles, products and systems to market. HORIBA MIRA has the experience in supporting vehicle design, development, and validation with specialized skill sets and tools and help minimize cost, risk, and time throughout the development cycle.

Extensive simulation and modeling combined with targeted and multi-purpose development facilities
Evaluation from concept design to final validation
Improve the accuracy of simulation models through latest virtual tools and in-house expertise
 

HORIBA Solution >>
Supporting Automotive Electrification Development and Accelerating Entry into the Electrification Market: Electrification/Energy Management

Turnkey Solutions

When launching a test building to handle hydrogen, more stringent safety measures are required than before.

Our turnkey solution, a total laboratory construction package, includes ordering multiple contractors, meetings to determine specifications, safety, process and quality control of construction, as well as post-introduction operation, maintenance, and work efficiency, all with an emphasis on safety and ease of use until just before the start of laboratory operations. We can handle the entire construction process on behalf of our busy customers.

Our new risk assessment method (Machine safety standards ISO 12100 compliant)

When setting up a test facility that handles batteries and hydrogen, safety measures must be taken from a completely different perspective than for ordinary test facilities.

Our new unique risk assessment method classifies the relationships between systems from four perspectives (physical contact, energy transfer, information communication, and material transfer) to identify and address risks without omission, and to ensure safety and security while minimizing costs and time.


Find Us on YouTube

HORIBA's Hydrogen Solutions

HORIBA STARS Enterprise Automotive Facility Management

Full Vehicle Testing - Solutions for Electrification Development and Testing by HORIBA

System Testing - Solutions for Electrification Development and Testing by HORIBA

Component Testing - Solutions for Electrification Development and Testing by HORIBA

Material Characterization - Solutions for Electrification Development and Testing by HORIBA

HORIBA RDE+ Smart Solutions for Cleaner Air

Powering the Future of Mobility - Fuel Cell Powertrain Solutions from HORIBA

Electrification Beyond Measure - EV System and Vehicle Testing Solutions Webinar by HORIBA

Electrification Beyond Measure - EV Material and Component Testing Solutions Webinar by HORIBA

Electrification Beyond Measure - Electrification Development and Testing Solutions Webinar by HORIBA

Application Laboratory Virtual Tour


Information

Why HORIBA

With our corporate philosophy of contributing to the development of science and technology and the preservation of the global environment, we are constantly in pursuit of "HONMAMON" technology.

Global Initiatives

HORIBA participates in the optimization of overall energy management and the realization of a safe and secure mobility society through bold global investments and extensive connections with academia and industry

Global Trends and Strageties toward Carbon Neutrality

Introduction of the latest trends through HORIBA's unique activities and perspectives


Fuel Cell

Evaluation of fuel cell materials, production processes, and cell and stack performance

Stationary Fuel Cell

Various performance evaluation technologies and engineering proposals for fuel cells for stationary use

Engine/Generator Turbine

Measurement and evaluation of hydrogen and ammonia engines/gas turbines for power generation (Engine/Generator Turbine)

Hydrogen Station

Contribution to improved safety, quality, and operational efficiency of hydrogen stations

Water Electrolysis

Water electrolysis evaluation equipmen for high-pressure storage of hydrogen

H2 Production

Global support for measurement and analytical instrumentation in the hydrogen production process

Hydrogen Energy TOP

We are committed to realize a smarter way of operating energy in the following 3 parts. The way we "Generate," "Store," and "Utilize" energy can come with higher efficiency, lower emissions, and minimal energy loss.

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