Presented are battery assemblies with integrated fuel tanks, methods for making/using such battery assemblies, and fuel cell electric vehicles having rechargeable traction battery packs with integrated fiber-composite hydrogen fuel tanks. A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) assembly includes a battery pack housing with an internal battery module compartment located between two tank mounting cavities. Each mounting cavity is recessed into a respective lateral side of the battery pack housing. Multiple rechargeable battery modules are electrically interconnected with one another and mounted inside the battery module compartment. Each battery module contains multiple battery cells, such as a stack of series-connected lithium-ion pouch cells. A fuel tank is mounted in each of the tank mounting cavities on the lateral sides of the battery pack housing. Each fuel tank, which may be fabricated from a carbon fiber reinforced polymer, stores and selectively dispenses a fuel, such as a hydrogen-rich, compressed gas fuel.

A multipurpose vehicle system with interchangeable operational components and power supplies is operational in multiple operational modes. The operational modes include: a personal transport vehicle mode, a service vehicle mode, and a commercial vehicle mode. The vehicle system has a dimensionally adjustable chassis module. The chassis module has the capacity to detachably attach to multiple exterior, interior, motor, and transmission components. The chassis module supports a cabin module and a rear module that enables formation of different iterations of vehicles. The vehicle system provides multiple different and interchangeable power supplies, like a rechargeable battery and a hydrogen tank. The power supplies are interchangeable. The used components can be recycled and interchanged with new components. The vehicle system also comprises at least one autonomous trailer that comprises a receiver in communication with a transmitter in the chassis module, allowing the autonomous trailer to be remotely towed by the chassis module.

A method for determining aging of a fuel cell system for a vehicle, comprising identifying a future interval in terms of time or distance during which the fuel cell system is expected to operate at stationary operating conditions, obtaining measurement values pertaining to at least one fuel cell parameter indicative of degradation of the fuel cell system during the identified interval, and determining an aging state of the fuel cell system using the measurement values.

An open cabin electric wheeled vehicle includes a large-capacity driving battery having a volume energy density higher than the volume energy density of a lead storage battery, the large-capacity driving battery being configured to supply electric power to a driving electric motor. The vehicle also includes a fuel-type electric power generation apparatus that generates electric power using a fuel. As seen from a leftward direction or a rightward direction, between the large-capacity driving battery and the fuel-type electric power generation apparatus, a recess overlaps with a passage region which allows people or baggage to pass through of an entrance and exit opening portion having no door, so that a bottom end of a front wall portion, a bottom end of a rear wall portion, and a bottom portion are located further downward than a top end of the large-capacity driving battery which has a volume energy density higher than the volume energy density of a lead storage battery, and a top end of the fuel-type electric power generation apparatus.

An open cabin electric wheeled vehicle includes a large-capacity driving battery having a volume energy density higher than the volume energy density of a lead storage battery, the large-capacity driving battery being configured to supply electric power to a driving electric motor. The vehicle also includes a fuel-type electric power generation apparatus that generates electric power using a fuel. As seen from a leftward direction or a rightward direction, between the large-capacity driving battery and the fuel-type electric power generation apparatus, a recess overlaps with a passage region which allows people or baggage to pass through of an entrance and exit opening portion having no door, so that a bottom end of a front wall portion, a bottom end of a rear wall portion, and a bottom portion are located further downward than a top end of the large-capacity driving battery which has a volume energy density higher than the volume energy density of a lead storage battery, and a top end of the fuel-type electric power generation apparatus.

An outer surface of an upper wall of a stack case of a fuel cell system provided in a fuel cell vehicle includes a first outer surface, a second outer surface which is positioned closer than the first outer surface to a cell stack body, and an outer surface coupling part. Space is formed between a first upper wall of the upper wall and the cell stack body. Tabs and bus bars are disposed in the space.

An outer surface of an upper wall of a stack case of a fuel cell system provided in a fuel cell vehicle includes a first outer surface, a second outer surface which is positioned closer than the first outer surface to a cell stack body, and an outer surface coupling part. Space is formed between a first upper wall of the upper wall and the cell stack body. Tabs and bus bars are disposed in the space.

A fuel cell module has: a first stacked body including a plurality of unit cells stacked on each other; and a second stacked body including a plurality of magnetic body sheets stacked on each other. The magnetic body sheets includes a coil. The first stacked body is superposed on the second stacked body so as to be electrically connected to the coil. A conductor serving as a part of the coil is embedded in each magnetic body sheet. The conductor has a first end portion and a second end portion exposed from surfaces of each magnetic body sheet on opposite sides from each other. The first end portion of the conductor of one of a set of magnetic body sheets adjacent to each other, among the magnetic body sheets, contacts the second end portion of the conductor of the other of the set of magnetic body sheets.

A method for controlling an operation of a fuel cell of a fuel cell vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting a state of charge (SOC) of a high voltage battery and determining whether the detected SOC of the high voltage battery is within or beyond a preset range from a minimum recommended SOC to a maximum recommended SOC. Power generation of the fuel cell is performed or stopped by comparing a required current of the vehicle with a preset current value required to enter a fuel-cell stop mode in which the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped and a preset current value required to release the fuel-cell stop mode.

A method for controlling an operation of a fuel cell of a fuel cell vehicle is provided. The method includes detecting a state of charge (SOC) of a high voltage battery and determining whether the detected SOC of the high voltage battery is within or beyond a preset range from a minimum recommended SOC to a maximum recommended SOC. Power generation of the fuel cell is performed or stopped by comparing a required current of the vehicle with a preset current value required to enter a fuel-cell stop mode in which the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped and a preset current value required to release the fuel-cell stop mode.