Simulation-based Performance Analysis of Internal Combustion Engine, Electric Vehicle and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

Rising awareness over climate change and worsening air quality have propelled the automotive industry to prioritize zero-emission powertrain innovations and promote sustainable fuels for the next generations. Among these advancements, electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have emerged as front-runners in promoting a green environment and more sustainable transportation. In this study, a simulation-based analysis has been conducted to compare the performance of Spark Ignition (SI), EV, and FCEV. The SI, EV, and FCEV models pre-existed as reference examples in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. The parameters such as motor speed, motor torque, battery State of Charge (SoC), battery current, fuel cell (FC) Voltage, FC current, fuel economy, brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and emission have been used to evaluate the pros and cons of each propulsion system across Federal Test Procedure-75 (FTP-75) driving cycles. Our finding shows that stable SI, EV, and FCEV fuel economies are 35,150 and 120 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), respectively, with EV showing promising overall efficiency and FCEV outperforming longer driving range. This research highlights the key impact of sustainable technologies on advancing the future of transportation.