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

Posted under Fuel Cells, Hydrogen Cars, Hydrogen Vehicles

The SX4-FCV fuel cell vehicle. GM-made high-performance fuel cell, 700-bar hydrogen tank (10,000psi) developed by Suzuki, which improved the driving performance of the capacitors used to assist during acceleration and braking energy recovery. Suzuki is planning to unveil a hydrogen fuel cell-powered SX4 concept model at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month. Minister of Transport certified to collect data from the test run on public roads are developed for practical use.

Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter is exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show 2009 model year concept “cross-cage” model adopted scooter technology, fuel cell motorcycle more realistic and familiar.

Posted under Fuel Cells, Hydrogen Cars

Exhibitions organized by hydrogen fuel cells and batteries lead Japan Exhibition “FC EXPO 2009: 5th International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Expo”, in Ariake, Tokyo, “Tokyo Big Sight” by February 25 to 27 to be held that. Car Watch, and the introduction of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology has been exhibited at the exhibition.

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

Posted under Fuel Cells, Hydrogen Cars, Hydrogen Economy, Hydrogen Vehicles

Nissan, 2009 February 25, the experimental vehicle equipped with a newly developed fuel cell stack, said it was cold and running experiments. Fuel cell stack is mounted in the 2008’s, the volume of the stack of conventional 3/4 and smaller, conventional 130kW and 90kW output increased from 1.4 times. The amount of platinum used in the more conventional 1/2 also enhance the durability of the catalyst and reduced to life and provides a significant cost reduction.

Experiments started in 2008 by driving this car from the end of 2009 in February and the cold test in the company’s test track in Hokkaido Rikubetsu are developed for the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. The company, in February 2009 to be held from 25 to 27 at Tokyo Big Sight “FC EXPO 2009 (5th International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Expo)” and to exhibit a fuel cell stack

Posted under Fuel Cells, Hydrogen Cars, Hydrogen Vehicles

“Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid” (left) and “Chevrolet Equinox”

General Motors Asia Pacific 2008 Japan on November 10 full-size hybrid SUV “hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe,” fuel-cell car “Chevrolet Equinox” open to the press. Environment and Energy for its efforts to explain the purpose of the two vehicles will be sold both in Japan.

Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid in the United States was released in 2007. U.S. General Motors (GM) and Germany’s DaimlerChrysler AG, Germany’s BMW co-developed “2 MODOHAIBURIDDOSHISUTEMU” drive. The origin of the name, for low-speed driving and high speed for the two modes are prepared.

Toyota “Prius”, such as single-mode hybrid vehicle, the engine and motor power output to match it to be significant, the motor vehicle exhaust and a large amount of. The two-mode hybrid for a high-speed mode to reduce the burden of the motor, the amount of exhaust of motor vehicles used in a compact, lightweight and compact system can have an advantage.

Mercedes-Benz’s midsize SUV “ML 450 HYBRID” with a two-mode hybrid, will be released in 2009. The 2008 Detroit show, BMW also equipped with the system of mid-size SUV based on “concept X6 ActiveHybrid” with displays will be put into practical use during 2009, he said. Models look at the two-mode hybrid midsize car to a heavy weight in the car suitable for large-scale systems.

Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid. The total length of the body size of 2007 x Overall width: 5130 x height 1955mm, vehicle weight 2647kg (4WD vehicles), full-size SUV

The engine room. In front of the orange parts have cable Power Control Unit	6L V8 engine, a smaller load suspended when the four-cylinder mode, and features a V4

MODOHAIBURIDDOSHISUTEMU of GM. Inside the transmission, two electric motors with built-in structure. 50 km/h zone to slow the engine running without a motor can only

Fuel-cell vehicles, “Chevrolet Equinox”

Fuel cell vehicles, “Equinox Chevrolet,” the United States and Germany in 2007, China and South Korea in the market test, and in fact already more than 100 vehicles running on public roads are common. Front-mounted fuel cell units, the highest output of motor 73kW, the maximum torque 320Nm. Filling of hydrogen in less than five minutes to complete, a tank of gas (hydrogen 4.2kg) can run at 320km. Has a maximum speed of 160km.

Fuel cell vehicles is Low start-up for the weakness, starting in sub-zero temperatures are possible. In addition to the fuel cell equipped with nickel-metal hydride batteries, regenerative braking during deceleration in the recovery of energy. GM in 2010 to compete with the internal combustion engine technology and fuel cells, and as a goal for the future, fuel cell vehicles to 1 million units sold in the world to achieve the first goal, it said.

The venue is announced, GM fuel-cell unit to supply the fuel cell vehicle Suzuki, “SX4-FCV” were also on display.

Equinox Chevrolet to the front, not the engine is equipped with fuel-cell unit

The mouth of the hydrogen charge. Filling in less than a full five minutes to complete	Meter panel of the cockpit, instead of the tachometer indicating the motor output meter placement

Posted under Fuel Cells, Hydrogen Cars, Hydrogen Vehicles