Future of Transport: Hybrid Electrification and Hydrogen Integration in Vehicles and Infrastructure

Dear Colleagues,

The urgent need to mitigate fossil fuels’ environmental impacts and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions has intensified the global shift towards renewable energy sources. Among the critical areas for this transition is the transportation sector, which is one of the major contributors to global emissions. The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) presents a promising low-emission alternative to conventional combustion engines, offering the potential to revolutionize transport systems. However, to further enhance the performance and efficiency of EVs, hybridization with fuel cells (FC) and batteries—forming hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)—is emerging as a highly effective approach.

The Special Issue on the "Future of Transport: Hybrid Electrification and Hydrogen Integration in Vehicles and Infrastructure" aims to explore the latest advancements and innovations in hybrid electrification, focusing on both light and heavy transportation from an energy perspective. Special attention will be given to hydrogen-based hybrid solutions, while also addressing the integration challenges, technological developments, and infrastructure requirements necessary for the widespread adoption of hybrid systems.

This Special Issue’s topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs):

• Integration of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries in EVs
• Power distribution and energy management in hybrid systems
• Enhancing durability and reliability of fuel cell stacks
• Cost-effective solutions for hybrid vehicle components

• Applications in railways, buses, freight transport, and shipping
• Efficient energy use in railway service infrastructure
• Protocols for selecting alternative energy solutions in heavy transport

• Development of charging and refueling infrastructure for hybrid vehicles
• Impact of hybrid electrification on existing transport infrastructure
• Role of renewable energy sources in supporting hybrid transport systems

• Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through hybrid electrification
• Comparative analysis of hybrid systems versus traditional fuel systems
• Economic benefits and cost analysis of adopting hybrid technologies

• Modeling tools for hybrid vehicle performance and efficiency
• Simulation of hybrid systems in various transportation scenarios
• Predictive maintenance and condition monitoring for hybrid vehicles
• Scenario analyses for innovative transport systems

We invite researchers, industry experts, and practitioners to contribute their innovative findings and case studies to this Special Issue, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in hybrid electrification.

Dr. Paolo Venturini
Prof. Dr. Domenico Borello
Dr. Giuliano Agati
Guest Editors

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