The Audi A7 h-tron quattro is a concept hydrogen/electric plug-in hybrid automobile, released by Audi AG[1] in the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.[2] The A7 h-tron quattro keeps the same recognizable features of the other A7 variants, but typically has "A7 h-tron" decals.
The vehicle uses a series of hydrogen tanks connected to a fuel cell, that converts hydrogen into electricity which powers an electric drivetrain. The A7 h-tron quattro is not a production vehicle but is a working prototype.
As the A7 h-tron quattro is based on the A7 production car, nearly all parts of the vehicle are visually similar. The exterior features "h-tron quattro" badges on the rear trunklid, and "A7 h-tron" decals on the doors. Interior changes include a green and orange color scheme efficiency meter in place of the tachometer in the instrument cluster, and h-tron logos included in system splash screens.
The A7 h-tron quattro places many of the hydrogen powertrain components are in similar positions to their petrol and diesel equivalents; the fuel cell is located in the same position as an engine would be, the batteries and some of the hydrogen tanks are where the petrol or diesel tank would normally be located.
The A7 h-tron has four high pressure hydrogen tanks, which can be refilled via an inlet inside of the fuel door. These tanks are constructed with an aluminium inner shell, and an outer carbon fibre reinforced polymer shell and hold fuel at up to 700bar.
Hydrogen gas is fed through a pressure reducer to the hydrogen fuel cell where it reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form water and generating electricity. The fuel cell consists of a stack of 300 polymer membrane cells with a platinum-based catalyst, and operates between 230360 volts. It is able to operate from cold starts from as low as -28C, and runs at 80C once warmed up.
The electric drive system consists of a lithium-ion battery pack along with front and rear axle motors. The 8.8kWh is sourced from the A3 Sportback e-tron and is located underneath the trunk floor. It can recharge in 4 hours off of a 230V household outlet, or in 2 hours from a 360V commercial charger. Each axle is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous AC motor generating 85kW and 270Nm of torque, which can temporarily be boosted to 115kW, for a total of 170kW and 540Nm of torque, or 230kW in boost mode. This allows the vehicle to reach 620NaN0 from standstill in just 7.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 110-1NaN-1.
Electricity generated by the fuel cell is either fed directly into the motors or used to charge the batteries. During normal driving, the power for the motors is fed directly from the fuel cell, but if high load is requested, then power from the batteries is also used. The h-tron quattro uses a regenerative braking system, which is also commonly adopted by various other electric and hybrid vehicles.
The vehicle weighs around 1950kg (4,300lb), and can reach 620NaN0 from standstill in 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 110-1NaN-1.
Electric-only range from the battery is over 50km (30miles), and the combined range exceeds 500km (300miles). On the NEDC test cycle, fuel consumption is 1kg (02lb) of hydrogen per 100km (100miles).