RANGE ESTIMATOR AND LIFE-BASED POWER DEMAND STRATEGY FOR FUEL CELL POWERTRAIN SYSTEMS AND METHODS

A method of operating a fuel cell includes determining a total age of the fuel cell, determining a state-of-charge of a battery, in response to the state-of-charge of the battery being greater than a predetermined charge threshold, operating the fuel cell at a maximum efficiency point. The method further includes in response to the state-of-charge of the battery being less than or equal to the predetermined charge threshold, operating the fuel cell such that the battery operates in a charge-sustaining mode. The maximum efficiency point is based on the determined total age of the fuel cell, and the maximum efficiency power output of the fuel cell at the maximum efficiency point increases as the total age of the fuel cell increases so as to maximize a range of the fuel cell.