Integrated Powertrain Control Strategy and Navigation System for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

Systems and methods for operating a hydrogen-battery powertrain of a fuel cell electric vehicle are disclosed. The methods advantageously adopt a proactive control strategy that leverages navigation information to improve fuel economy, reduce degradation, and improve thermal management. Particularly, an expected route of the vehicle is determined based on navigation information provided by a navigation system. Based on the expected route, control-strategy relevant characteristics of the drive cycle are predicted, at least including a power requirements profile of the battery-hydrogen powertrain. The control-strategy relevant characteristics of the drive cycle are leveraged to provide optimal control strategies that improve fuel economy, reduce degradation, and improve thermal management.