It is well known, great minds think alike. But we’ve still been surprised to see such mimicry in the presentation in 4 different brands as Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes and Toyota. What attracted her 4 manufacturers, that reasoning, a finding that the battery-electric propulsion is adequate for small urban cars, but electric propulsion with fuel cells is much more appropriate, even essential, for the larger cars, for family use, for which we expect more performance and autonomy

It was at the Geneva Motor Show. Honda Jazz exposed his power, and required its FCX Clarity. At Hyundai, there was an electric version of the I10, and a version of hydrogen Ix35. Mercedes, was a Class A electric batteries, was a Class B electric fuel cell. Toyota finally, the small Iq was electric, while the main FCHV-adv was hydrogen. Our illustrations are in order. So why, why hydrogen rather than batteries, for four reasons. The first 2 are the performance and autonomy, and superiority of the hydrogen is indisputable.

Car makers typically partner with universities, commercial fleets, or government agencies to get feedback on their technology platforms while working out the bugs. These organizations often have access to private hydrogen gas refueling stations, and can provide rigorous testing by racking up serious mileage in a short period of time. However, Honda, Mercedes, and GM are also letting average consumers test their products in the real world before they go to market. But before you raise your hand to sign up for these prototype vehicles, keep in mind that you may not be geographically desirable.

Honda FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle
Honda has been leasing its FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle since 2008, and so far has handed over the keys of these hydrogen-powered cars to 26 customers in California. Drivers pay $600 per month to lease the four-seater from Honda, with all maintenance and hydrogen gas included. There’s also no mileage restriction, which means you can drive the FCX Clarity as far and as often as you want–so long as you’re within access to a hydrogen-refueling station.

The FCX Clarity has an approximate 240-mile driving range, and the 135-horsepowerr car has a top speed of 100 mph. Customers interested in leasing the fuel-cell vehicle can sign up for updates on Honda’s Web site. Although the manufacturer has closed its first round of vehicle leases, Honda plans to release a significant number of FCXs in its next fiscal year. Proximity to several fueling stations (and at least one that is open 24 hours) plays a significant role in determining how Honda selects its program participants. For the moment, that limits applicants to Torrance, Santa Monica, and Irvine, California.

Mercedes B-Class F-CELL
Mercedes delivered its first hydrogen-powered B-Class F-Cell to a customer in Southern California this year, and since then has handed over the keys to 14 additional F-Cells. The 136-horsepower F-Cell has a top speed of 106 mph and delivers an estimated range of 190-240 miles, depending on which fuel cycle test you’re using. Customers lease the four-seater directly from Mercedes, paying $850 per month for a two-year lease–a steep price. But on the upside, all maintenance and hydrogen fuel is included in the lease. With gasoline prices rising, the free compressed hydrogen gas makes the F-Cell seem lightly less outrageously priced. The carmaker is accepting applications on its Web site from drivers wishing to fill one of the remaining 55 spots in its hydrogen test program. However, applicants need to live in the Los Angeles or San Francisco Bay Area to qualify.

Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell
After wrapping up Project Driveway last year with more than 2,000,000 miles collectively clocked during the three year program, GM will launch the next stage of its fuel cell vehicle-testing program in Hawaii. GM will be working with government agencies and corporate fleets to put the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell through the paces for more intense testing of its technology platform (think postal-delivery services and taxis). But the carmaker also plans on to let take the fuel cell vehicles for a spin. GM has never formally leased its fuel cell vehicles to customers, preferring to loan its fuel cell SUVs for periods of a few days, weeks, or months. It will be conducting the similar short-term test-drives throughout Hawaii, and the Web site promoting the new program should launch in the next three months. The best part of GM’s program is that it’s free–if you qualify.

The industrial power of Japan has been demonstrated once again a vivid demonstration of the viability of hydrogen cars. Organized by the JFHC she met 3 cars completely separate with no common room in their chassis, or powertrain. It was a Honda FCX Clarity, a Nissan FCV, and a Toyota FCHV-adv. The event was interesting, because after a Tesla electric car has covered 500 km without having to reload, some people may wonder, on the advisability of using a fuel cell and hydrogen tank, rather than simple battery.

The demonstration Nippon timely to recall that the gap between the two is immense. Most of the Tesla has been established at 50 km/h average, in a car with windows closed in order not to increase the aerodynamic drag, and without air conditioning not consume energy. The Japanese demo was made in normal use. And when the Tesla is a strict 2-seater with a trunk ridiculous, hydrogen cars are Japanese family. The route was 1137 km, it was made in 19 hours. So average less than 60 km/h. In the absolute, very little, but it was the will of the organizer, with a substantial distance which stood in the city.

The car offering greater autonomy has traveled 714 km without refueling. But the most interesting information is the total consumption, or 28.8 kg of hydrogen. For the 3 cars, of 1137 km! Consider a ridiculous average consumption of 844 grams of hydrogen per 100 km. The Japanese cars have tanks 5/6 kg, but the Americans have already planned wider, the Chevrolet Sequel concept stores 10 kg of hydrogen. This means that while the electric car batteries is still very far from the autonomy of a petrol car, the hydrogen can already beat the autonomy of diesel. A fuel cell and hydrogen tank are also lighter than a pack of batteries.

The Japanese have celebrated the event as they do know, with all the men in white gloves. But despite this undeniable success, the future of hydrogen cars is still very uncertain. Is full in 3 minutes as an essence, there is no emission of CO2, or any pollutant. The hydrogen cars are everything to them, and even their sale price, which happens to contain a level very close to those species. But there is also politics. And even in a progressive country like Japan, there are only 13 hydrogen stations. Then we put in place around the world, moult grants and facilities for electric cars and charging stations.

Both Mercedes, Honda, Toyota and General Motors believe that the car fuel cell powered by hydrogen, is the best solution to replace the car oil. Not by ideology or by a submission to some unknown lobby, but simply because it promises to do better than the gasoline car in all areas. This does however not presage the success of this technology to market.

Source: Fuel cell car demonstration runs 1,100 km long

Kia is already planning the introduction of other alternative drives. 2011 a full-hybrid model coming middle class, for 2012 is the first use of fuel cell technology in a production vehicle announced.

- Eco Dynamics badge to identify environmentally-friendly vehicles
- Forte LPI Hybrid to be launched in August featuring maximum power of 114ps and fuel efficiency of 0.0125 km/$
- Revamped interior and exterior, hybrid jingle sets Forte LPI Hybrid apart from predecessor
- Korea’s first look at Mohave fuel cell electric vehicle with top speed of 160km/h and fuel efficiency of 0.0167 km/$

First showcased at the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show, the Mohave FCEV is a next-generation FCEV with vastly improved performance over the previous Sportage FCE.

The three tank hydrogen storage system (700 bar) in the Mohave FCEV has a single-fueling cruising distance of approximately 750km, nearly double the top range (384km) of the previous generation.

Source: Kia Forte LPI hybrid and Mohave Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)

The green SUV concept based on a model Borrego, has a fuel cell developed by the 4th generation Hyundai-Kia (154 hp, 115 kW) and a new battery Lithium-Ion Polymer. He then enjoys an autonomy of 820 km (510 miles) and can start in temperatures of -30^o C. Not bad! As part of its testing program, Kia will put on the roads in 2010 a fleet of Kia Borrego FCEV. Clarification: California is developing a network of hydrogen fueling (see article).

In its “Green Zone” at the Paris Salon Kia Motors presented its latest developments in the field of environmentally friendly technologies. While the Kia Soul hybrid, the cee’d hybrid and fuel cell vehicle Sportage FCEV studies yet to act, the cee’d ISG soon on the road to be seen: the new start-stop system ISG (Idle Stop & Go) is from the beginning of 2009 for the cee’d petrol versions available. ISG the engine automatically switches off when the vehicle stops, and immediately again when the driver pressed the clutch pedal. The start will not be delayed – but the fuel consumption and pollutant emissions in city traffic by up to 15 percent.

Also seen is a study of the compact Kia Sportage SUV with fuel cell technology. The 100 kW/136 hp cell feeds a lithium-polymer battery, with an electric motor is coupled. The maximum range of the vehicle should amount to around 300 km. Moreover, the Koreans show in Paris in the series version of the Soul and a start-stop automatic systems for the compact ceed.

As part of the program for Kia fuel-cell research was the Kia Sportage FCEV many tests and continuously. Kia now presents the prototype of the new Kia Sportage FCEV at the Paris Salon – the European premiere for the compact SUV with fuel cell propulsion.

The Sportage FCEV is thus more powerful, has a much larger range of 300 kilometers and a cold start better qualities, is also in cool regions and seasons operational. The Sportage FCEV has a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, the Kia Motors has been developed.