Abstract: Vehicle crash safety is one of most important key technologies for the commercialization of fuel cell vehicle. The characterization of crash safety of fuel cell vehicle was investigated based on the analysis of the work principle and structure of a China-made fuel cell passenger car. A finite element model of crash was developed and virtual frontal crash tests were carried out. A total vehicle frontal crash experiment was conducted with helium as substitute of hydrogen. Then, the safety of passenger protection, vehicle body structure and hydrogen storage system were analyzed. The results of virtual analysis to vehicle experimental validation show that the fuel cell vehicle can meet the technique requirement of crash safety.

Key words:  fuel cell vehicles, crash safety, hydrogen safety, simulations and experiments