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.

Toyota FCHV-adv fuel efficiency by 25%, and in order to improve the performance of life vehicles, Toyota has also developed the high-pressure hydrogen storage 70Mpa, to life after hydrogen charging from the extension of 2 times, and reached about 830 km alarming level. In addition, Toyota is also very cold, especially in low-temperature environment to test the performance of the FCHV-adv, and the Toyota data also showed that even at 30 ℃ environment, FCHV-adv can start and normal running . Cold zone, but also ensure that the vehicles start with the normal traffic.

“Between 2008 – Tokyo, Osaka (560km), was able to finish filling in the actual use conditions and no air conditioning. After the fuel has been left to finish, and later were able to estimate the road about 250km I “(Mr. Masuda)

Project implemented by the Ministry of Economy “JHFC (Japan Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Demonstration Project: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Demonstration Project)” in the booth, and on empirical research and empirical studies of the hydrogen station and fuel cell vehicles have the same project implementation of the exhibition. Honda “FCX CLARITY” and Toyota “FCHV-adv”, General Motors Asia Pacific Japan “Equinox Chevrolet Fuel Cell” is displayed, such as fuel cell vehicles.

In addition, Nissan’s “X-TRAIL FCV” and newly developed fuel cell stack is mounted on, techno-hydrogen dispenser Tokico Ltd., Central District and the metropolitan area, and the introduction of hydrogen stations were established in the region that. The FCHV-adv at Tokyo Big Sight and the X-TRAIL FCV, the Honda “FCX”, Japan’s Mercedes-Benz “F-Cell” and the implementation of fuel cell vehicles and test drive. Fuel cell buses developed by Hino Motors and Toyota “FCHV-BUS” and ride is located near the Place “JHFC Ariake hydrogen station,” it also can visit and tour.

Honda FCX CLARITY
Toyota FCHV-adv

Nissan X-TRAIL FCV fuel cell stack and Tokico Ltd. Techno Hydrogen dispenser

Yamaha FC-Dii, Direct Methanol Fuel Cell system (DMFC) with atwo-wheeler. DMFC system is the highest level of efficiency and 32% have been achieved. Aqueous methanol fuel is used, combined with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and desorption. 1kW level with other small-cell stack developed by Yamaha with a high power density, a moped is also possible that the road to get the number as a species.

By the Ministry of Science and Technology Pavilion at the Swiss Embassy, Switzerland, fuel cell vehicles “PAC-Car II” are on display. Exhibition abroad that the first time.

PAC-Car II, fuel cell car project students from the Technical University of Zurich Switzerland. Held in 2005, “Shell Eco-Marathon”, the equivalent petrol 5385km/L to achieve fuel efficiency, combustion efficiency, set a world record. This record also does not say that now breached.

1L fuel cartridge 2 is labeled about 11 hydrogen-compressed using a 2g with a crowbar, which is equivalent to gasoline 8ml. 12V, maximum output of 900W and a fuel cell system with power supply, a maximum speed of 32km/h. Rear-wheel drive is powered by two DC motors, low-power when the power from the motors can be divided into one or both. The body is carbon fiber material used, shape of body weight is 10kg, and 29kg in total is. In addition, he said that improving the fuel efficiency of the wheel and use a fiber optic communication in the electronic control.

Horizon Fuel Cell Japan, sales based assisted bicycle “HMX” was exhibited. Driven by hydrogen, with a filling of times they can travel 300km and speed of road in the 25Km/h. Reference price is 4,600 dollars. For these products, but always clinging to the question of how to supply the fuel, so I’m thinking about developing a system that can be filled with hydrogen at home. If hydrogen can be generated by electrolysis of water.

More info: FC EXPO 2009 5th International Exhibition of hydrogen fuel cells

Also, according 70MPa FCV hydrogen storage system with the start of the demonstration, showing that the vehicles. A range of highway running to determine the effect of the extension, and fuel economy that will be measured. Will be subject to testing, FCHV-adv. (Toyota) / X-TRAIL FCV (Nissan) / SX4-FCV (Suzuki) in the three models, each manufacturer will have a range of more than 830km/500km about / 250km and.

FCV and the 70MPa hydrogen station and the U.S. are underway in Germany, GM and Daimler-70MPa FCV and the running of public roads. Also, in Japan FCCJ (Council for the Promotion of practical application of fuel cells), recent domestic and foreign automobile manufacturers in the domestic energy companies under the agreement, “fuel-cell vehicles and hydrogen filling stations to popularize business in 2015 and started full-scale” Has announced that scenario, 70MPa, and one of the first important step is.

Demonstration was held to 12, 2007 at the start of the project is implemented, Niiti Tomuro Association for the Promotion of Engineering, and he Shiyougo Watanabe of Japan Automobile Research Institute to the press before presenting a summary trial. Among the main test of a hydrogen station in charge of the said, “70MPa to be filled, 35MPa was not required in the need to be devised. For example, is filled with hydrogen and a fast rise in temperature. 70MPa goal Value in three minutes or five minutes trying to fill this need for cooling and energy, FCV well to wheel of a decline in energy efficiency. Future, ECV when the spread of the automobile Mitigation of environmental impact in order to fulfill the role that the tank production in the refrigerant temperature and the amount of energy consumed by data measured, the extended-range, FCV and the balance of convenience must be verified “, Explained the purpose of testing.

In addition, the hydrogen was released Senju Station (Tokyo Arakawa), following Daikoku hydrogen station in December in Yokohama (Yokohama, Kanagawa), 09 hydrogen stations in January Funabashi (Hunahashi Tiba), the Yokohama in February Asahi hydrogen station (Yokohama, Kanagawa) will be a series of NIEs 70MPa.

Previous reports, as the Hokkaido Shibetsu Toyota’s vast small test course “iQ” we were able to hold the steering thing, but when this latest fuel cell hybrid vehicle, “Toyota FCHV-adv (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle – advanced) “could also test-drive.

Toyota FCHV is like Honda’s new platform is a nonissue because we have not given, but the contents have been steadily evolving. Toyota to develop a lot of people see the situation is quiet SUV “Krueger”, already has completed the production and sales of the model may be used by. Somehow it felt old. Hokkaido test-ride event Okamoto, who was vice chairman of Toyota’s “do not always make the body, so please be patient,” he added. The most important thing is the performance of fuel cell reliability of the cost.

Asahikawa in Shibetsu test from the 100 km road course FCHV to drive. ETC with Krueger also enjoy the highway. The passenger seat Ishiguro, Chair of the developers sit.

he fuel-cell vehicles have a hybrid system. Nickel-metal hydride secondary battery and fuel cell body (stack) combination.Stack becomes easy to replace internal combustion engines. In other words, you accumulate savings to electric box-like secondary battery, a stack of electrical power generation system is paired with the other two. The Prius has the same meaning.

300 ~ 500km rather than the medium-range game is?

Asahikawa in Amsterdam to leave. And a stop signal, fuel cells will automatically shut down. Unlike the internal combustion engine stops, originally quiet stack is shut down, the feeling is not idle stop. And when the brake energy regeneration, but can not originally high energy efficiency (energy consumption is low), meaning the recovery is extremely high. Less money from a large portion of your change.

But the model is the relationship between secondary battery capacity, many of the regenerative energy recovery can not. The next step is to practical use lithium-ion batteries until the recovery rate is low. Therefore, even if actually running the engine brakes feel very strong. This recovery rate is low.

700 low-pressure hydrogen gas fuel is using, but this time as there is no hydrogen station areas, how the hydrogen to fill it out? So the idea is hideous mobile hydrogen station. Iwatani International Corporation of Japan has undertaken a hand.

Honda has 350 hydrogen gas pressure system will be stuck with the world becoming a standard atmospheric pressure is 700. Kruger Toyota FCHV SUV is a vehicle height is high, so high-pressure hydrogen storage tank to the floor. Highly efficient hybrid system and a combination of the stack, and 700 with a low-pressure fuel FCHV is a range of more than 500 km that is secure.

Ride in the passenger seat while driving Organizer Ishiguro, a variety of stories blast. Osaka to Tokyo’s Odaiba hydrogen from the station until without refueling (lubrication oil so the word is also incorrect) to cover the whole of it. Also, Toyota will run only secondary battery EV (electric vehicle) and fuel-cell vehicles to differentiate how the idea? The answer is that distance and duration. For example, 200 ~ 300 km run in the EV, 300 ~ 500 Km of fuel cell vehicles, 500 ~ 1000 Km of internal combustion engines and hybrid might be considered.

With an output of 90kW fuel cell

Honda has stuck with the 350 Pressure is the reason for this is to think of hydrogen filling. Excessive pressure of 700 and it is not practical. Honda is certainly plausible explanation.

Pressure 700 manufacturers from around the world to believe that immediate standard is 700 atmospheres, you can study, because we can reduce later. Ishiguro, as Chair of Toyota’s my opinion “about 500 atmospheric pressure at the optimal solution might have,” he said in the study stage in the high hurdles mean that there would be a good idea.

Since evolution of the FCHV is very cold areas where there is work that has been confirmed. Organizer Ishiguro himself all over Canada and the Arctic Circle, close to the cold-start test and the minus 37 degrees and it was confirmed that the work.

Get on the freeway and the performance of the newly evolved FCHV shock. 90kW higher output in the design of a new generation of high-performance fuel cells to beat him hurtling to earth in the north. “Dental and well” is an expression of literary, but it is quiet, tire and wind noise, the lone road only hear the sound.

Output 90kW how big? Have been installed in my home for a family of fuel-cell stack is only 1 kW. This compared to how energy is used vehicle or vehicles that would be understandable. Toyota’s fuel cell vehicle that is one of about 50 households MAKANAE power to them.

Hydrogen energy is becoming a source of intuition

I felt attracted to fuel-cell cars is almost the same time Toyota and Mercedes are the future of automotive fuel cell vehicles is a powerful message out from the start.

Attracted more than anything is that the hydrogen fuel. It was Mechanical Engineering students to teachers is a pioneer in the hydrogen engine. The premises of a prototype of a hydrogen engine vehicle is “PUTSUNPUTSUN” BAKKUFAIYA out with a big, run, it was left to the head. Is the car’s hydrogen energy and intuitive feeling was that instead of hydrogen-burning hydrogen engine, hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen power can be interested.

My steering wheel is the first time in 1996, “RAV4″ made the EV-based early stage. Tokyo Gas, the site of a test ride. At that time, technology is the hydrogen-absorbing alloy metals (rare earth) type. So I ran and the weight is too groggy to remember.

But remarkable progress has been made in 2001, the Prius hybrid system that combines the same. And finally minister in December 2002 to develop fuel-cell vehicle certified by the Cabinet and Government / leasing companies have started selling.

Toyota’s efforts to follow this has been the Honda and DaimlerChrysler and General Motors (GM). Toyota will further fuel cell bus in collaboration with Hino Motors, Daihatsu and Nissan’s fuel cell car developed. Honda differences in company size and the development of the road map is somewhat different.

Fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles colleagues in the broad sense

The FCHV-adv hydrogen tank is two-fold increase in the fuel economy mode and that can travel 840 km. The safety of the car violently crushing a hydrogen tank would also be protected so strongly built on it.

What is worrisome is sent to stack the hydrogen leak of hydrogen in the pipeline. The FCHV hydrogen exclusively from side to side, before and after the crash sensors to place the cabin at the top of the stack and the hydrogen tank and a hydrogen leak is equipped with sensors to detect. As a result, hydrogen and hydrogen tank leak may have automatically closed the valves.

Japan in September 2008 from the sale of some government agencies to lease began. Priced at 7,760 US$ per month for 30 months and lease expensive, but still, someone is not going to use the attention of the world.
Toyota, Honda and Nissan continued to fuel cell vehicles to show for his attention, but I wonder about the electric vehicle is equipped with a lithium-ion batteries are completely separate working on it. Fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles in the broad sense of camaraderie. In that sense, the Japanese fuel cell vehicles and electric vehicles, the roadmap is a different feeling in there?

Electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles or energy from the viewpoint of the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan’s fuel-cell vehicles to conduct field trials “JHFC (hydrogen fuel cell demonstration project),” fuel-cell-related private companies Making “FCCJ (Fuel Cell Commercialization Council)”, and the spread of electric cars is another program that is working hard to understand.

Withdrawal from fossil fuel and renewable energy to achieving a sustainable society is possible. Ishiguro, Chair of the sides to listen to Toyota’s technical department in the diversity of electric drive technology while fully understanding the technology and scrub.