Highly integrated electric propulsion system, HI-EPS

The vision of this proposal is to solve the last two inherent problems faced by electric vehicles; A short range and a long recharging time. This is achieved by the development of a highly integrated power propulsion system (HI-EPS) consisting of; an efficient methanol fuel cell system and a Li-ion battery pack including an advanced battery managing system (BMS). This will enable electric vehicles to have a range of at least 600 km pr. charge and a refueling ability similar to gasoline fuelled vehicles. By using methanol as fuel we circumvent the obstacles towards market introduction caused by the low energy density and infrastructure problems associated with hydrogen. By creating a modular system that consists of units, which can be scaled up and down in number, we will achieve the possibility to produce a high volume of basic units, which can be used as building blocks to create HI-EPS for almost any transportation/automotive application. The HI-EPS will have a design that can be used in a number of applications with a very limited integration work, thereby aiming for Economics of Scale (EOS) in all components. The goal is to demonstrate more than 1000 HI-EPS units by the end of 2012. By 2015 we expect to sell more than 10.000 units and in 2020 a commercial market of more than 100.000 units annually is expected. These target are all based on electric car market analyses and an expectation that approximately 0,5% of electric cars will have a HI-EPS range extender. Technologically, the consortium behind this application has been leading the Danish development of HTPEM methanol reformer systems as well as the combination of this technology with Li-Ion batteries for transport applications. We are now proposing to progress the activities in this area through: 1. Development of a second generation HTPEM methanol reformer system with improved efficiency and power density to meet the strategic targets set for 2012. 2. Demonstrate the unit in collaboration with Lotus aiming at subsequent production and sales of HIEPS units to the volume market