A Comparative Evaluation of Rule-Based Strategies, ECMSs, and MPC Strategies for Fuel Cell Hybrid LCV Energy Management

Energy Management Strategies (EMSs) are crucial for enhancing fuel economy and reducing emissions in light commercial vehicles (LCVs). This paper presented three EMS approaches for LCVs with hybrid powertrains: Rule-Based Control (RBC) and two optimization-based strategies, the Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS) and Model Predictive Control (MPC). To enhance robustness under varying operating conditions, optimization algorithms were designed and tuned using the WLTC City driving cycle, and adaptive components were included. For a fair assessment of overall efficiency, all strategies were compared under identical constraints on hydrogen and electrical energy consumption. The results showed that, under these constraints, MPC achieved the longest driving distance, highlighting its superior energy utilization capability. In a broader comparative analysis, both the ECMS and MPC outperformed the benchmark RBC, with MPC demonstrating the most consistent performance, enhanced stability, and strong adaptability in dynamic scenarios. The findings indicate that MPC offers notable advantages for LCV energy management, combining efficiency, robustness, and interpretability, positioning it as a promising candidate for practical implementation in future hybrid powertrain systems.