A fuel cell auxiliary power unit (FC-APU) is a fuel cell based auxiliary power unit on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are mainly used in trucking, aviation, marine and recreational vehicles.[1]
In 2010 there were globally 3,100 fuel cell APU shipments.[2]
Around 300,000 refrigerator trucks with auxiliary power units are on the road in the United States.[3] In recent years, truck and fuel cell manufacturers have teamed up to create, test and demonstrate a fuel cell APU that eliminates nearly all emissions [4] and uses diesel fuel more efficiently.[5] In 2008, a DOE sponsored partnership between Delphi Electronics and Peterbilt demonstrated that a fuel cell could provide power to the electronics and air conditioning of a Peterbilt Model 386 under simulated "idling" conditions for 10 hours.[6] Delphi has said the 5 kW system for Class 8 trucks will be released in 2012,[needs update] at an $8000–9000 price tag that would be competitive with other "midrange" two-cylinder diesel APUs, should they be able to meet those deadlines and cost estimates.[5]
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel cell auxiliary power unit.
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