Apparatus and method for heating a fuel cell stack

An apparatus for heating a fuel cell stack in a cold start mode, the apparatus comprising:

• a controller for being operably coupled to a boost converter that includes a power switch that is thermally coupled to a fuel cell stack, the controller being configured to:
• receive a signal indicative of a temperature during a vehicle startup;
• compare the temperature to a predetermined temperature value;
• and
• activate the power switch if the temperature is below the predetermined temperature value such that the power switch generates heat to apply to the fuel cell stack and generates a voltage for powering a power circuit to enable the vehicle to driveaway while the fuel cell stack receives the heat.

An apparatus comprising:

• a controller for being operably coupled to a boost converter that includes a power switch, the controller configured to:
• receive a signal indicative of a temperature during vehicle startup;
• and
• activate the power switch if the temperature is below a predetermined temperature value to apply heat to a fuel cell stack and to generate a voltage for powering a power circuit to enable vehicle driveaway while heating the fuel cell stack.