ELECTRIC VEHICLE EMPLOYING FUEL CELLS AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

An electric vehicle is described that has fuel cells and rechargeable batteries. The fuel cells are sized to produce an electric power output within their peak fuel efficiency range approximately equal to an anticipated average electric power requirement of the electric vehicle over a projected work cycle. The rechargeable batteries are sized to provide electric power up to the anticipated maximum power draw over the anticipated work cycle. An electrical vehicle controller operates the fuel cells within their highest fuel efficiency range during normal operations and maintains the battery state of charge in an optimal longevity range using a portion of the output of the fuel cells. The batteries are employed to handle short-term power requirements that exceed the output of the fuel cells.