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While the ZEV program's electric vehicles did not become successful market-driven products, many of the technical advantages of electric vehicles were validated by enthusiastic California consumers. Yet, battery technology has been and continues to be the limiting factor in terms of cost, functionality (range) and durability of EV systems. The automotive industry has largely moved on to research and development of other approaches to extremely low emissions and reduced fossil fuel consumption. PZEV gasoline vehicles, Hybrid electric vehicles, clean (EPA Tier 2) diesel vehicles and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are the focus of attention. The purpose of this paper is to explore another possible solution: a battery electric vehicle with a relatively small fuel cell auxiliary power unit (APU) to recharge the battery pack during driving.

Tomorrow's winning powertrain solutions reside in those technology combinations providing optimized propulsion systems with zero emissions and no cost or performance penalty compared with today's vehicles. The recent Kyoto Protocol for CO2 reduction and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) thrust for zero emission vehicles along with the European Regulatory community, motivate car manufacturers to adopt new light body structures with low aerodynamic drag coefficients, low-rolling resistance and the highest efficiency powertrains. The environmental equation expresses car manufacturers aptitude and desire to create zero emission vehicles at acceptable levels of performance unlike limited range electrical powered vehicle products. The cheapest solution to the environmental equation remains the conventional internal combustion engine ($30 to $50 per kW).