The main objective is to analyze three different fuel cell hybrid plug-in configurations (series hybrid with fuel cell, parallel hybrid with fuel cell, full hybrid with fuel cell) and compare those with pure electric and micro hybrid gasoline/diesel vehicles, in a full life cycle perspective. Production and utilization costs will be assessed. For the hydrogen production and life cycle, on-site electrolysis, on-site reforming and centralized natural gas reforming will be considered.

ADVISOR vehicle simulation software from US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and AVL, GREET life cycle software from US Argonne National Laboratory and E3 database from Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA), Institute Français du Petrole (IFP) and Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik, are used.

Results cover full life cycle energy consumption and CO2 emissions for each analyzed technology and respective fuel path, cost of production, cost of use and cost of CO2 avoidance. Impact on the electric grid for fuel production and vehicle feeding is estimated.

The required energy and CO2 emissions resulting from plug-in production are, respectively, 139 GJ and 9 ton (about 2-3 times higher than a conventional vehicle). On site electrolysis from European electric grid is the worst energy and CO2 case scenario. Plug-in and electric vehicles are more energy efficient (about 2-4 times more than conventional vehicles) and less CO2 contributors (2 times less than conventional vehicles) in full life cycle. Concerning cost, plug-in have an overcost of 5000-10000 € and are currently 3-5 times cheaper in use.