From Internal Combustion to Fuel Cell

A major automotive OEM engaged me as a consultant to lead the development of four prototype amphibious vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells rather than a conventional internal combustion powertrain. The objective was to demonstrate a viable zero emission propulsion architecture capable of operating in both terrestrial and amphibious environments while maintaining the performance expected from a rugged off road platform.

 

I led the design and execution of the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system and the full electrical architecture required to support it. The work included defining the system layout, integrating the fuel cell stack, hydrogen storage tanks, battery pack, power electronics, and high voltage distribution network. The architecture used in wheel electric motors to deliver torque control and eliminate the need for a traditional drivetrain. I also directed the design of the high voltage safety systems, control interfaces, and power management strategies required to balance fuel cell output with battery demand under varying operating conditions.

 

Beyond the system architecture, I led the cross functional engineering effort responsible for turning the concept into working prototypes. The team included integration engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and supporting specialists responsible for vehicle packaging, cooling systems, structural considerations, and controls. My role required coordinating these disciplines to ensure that the hydrogen system, electrical components, and vehicle structure worked together within the constraints of the amphibious platform.

I maintained a hands on engineering approach throughout the project. I worked directly with the team on system layout, electrical routing, component placement, and integration challenges that arose during development. This allowed rapid problem solving as we balanced safety requirements, packaging limitations, and performance targets. The result was a functional hydrogen powered amphibious prototype platform that demonstrated how fuel cell propulsion could replace traditional engines in specialized mobility applications.