GreenGT is ready to show its new baby

L’équipe de GreenGT is ready to show its new baby, the GreenGT H2, to the world when the first-ever electric/hydrogen sportscar prototype will take to the La Sarthe circuit on June 3rd for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2012 test.

After developing several electric propulsion systems based batteries, things have changed somewhat. The electric motor at the time restraint has given way to a whole system with a fuel cell. Indeed, the batteries do not offer adequate autonomy and the team has turned to hydrogen. On the technical side there are two particular synchronous electric motors delivering a total output of 460 hp and 2400 Nm (!) Of torque to the rear wheels. A second engine that develops 560 hp is now under development. The current weight of the machine is 1240 kg, which promises great performance (GreenGT announces over 300 km/h top speed). The most important point for a car that will evolve in the future in endurance is obviously self. The GreenGT H2 in its current state has 40 minutes remaining. The Helvetic Society chose the replacement canisters during pit stops instead of performing full of hydrogen, for reasons of approval.
The GreenGT H2 is the first prototype electric/hydrogen competition car and was selected in June 2011 by the French Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), as an innovative project. GreenGT was invited to participate on the June 3rd Test Day of the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours event.

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This post was written by admin on February 12, 2012

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Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes and Toyota, the comeback of hydrogen.


If you’re ready to move on to the greener pastures of fuel cell technology, geography is the single biggest factor limiting your ability to drive a hydrogen-powered vehicle. Although no fuel-cell vehicles are available for sale at this time, a handful of auto manufacturers have opened their hydrogen-testing programs to the public. But it’s not an open-door policy; you have to qualify.

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.

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This post was written by admin on March 26, 2011

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Mercedes-Benz at the LA Show With Hydrogen Cars

Lease, 2 year contract for the people of Southern California.

Los Angeles Auto Show Mercedes-Benz F-Cell

This is the second generation of the F-Cell, one established on the basis of the Mercedes Class B The German automaker announced it would be available in very small series in late 2010, it is. But unfortunately not everywhere, and we must regret that in the absence of hydrogen station in France, the F-Cell will not do. But 75 are planned for the U.S. market. None however will not be sold, the cars will be available only leased, with contracts lasting for 2 years.

Los Angeles Auto Show Mercedes-Benz F-Cell

The rental amount is exceptionally reasonable given the sophistication of the model, only 845 dollars per month. It was for this price a true hydrogen car, which is made with the full 3 minutes as a gas, but without rejecting anything else but water vapor in the exhaust. Almost like an electric car, but with the possibility of making the highway and driving at 130 km / h without the fear of the batteries in a few tens of kilometers.

The first Mercedes F-Cell for the U.S. market will be delivered in December, we also expected in Germany at the same time, to support several electric models, the Smart, class A, and Vito. Later, the fabulous SLS AMG.

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This post was written by admin on December 5, 2010

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The world’s first hydrogen-powered boat

It’s not only cars that can benefit from hydrogen technology, the boats too!
Here is the new project “Zero CO2 around the Mediterranean sailing” this is test this year a sailboat RM 1200 12 m, with an electric motor powered by a hydrogen fuel cell (developed by the CEA Liten Grenoble) and batteries.

Zero CO2

This yacht like no other has been built by the shipyard RM of La Rochelle. In June 2010, it will arrive in Marseille in trials at sea Then from July to December 2010, he produced a scientific mission in the Mediterranean Sea.

Floralis, the technology transfer subsidiary of the University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, will be responsible for the integratrion of a scientific platform on the boat that will be used to capture important scientific data on man-made pollution throughout the 6 month expedition. The yacht will travel around the Mediterranean coast as far as Morocco on a journey that will commence in mid July, 2010.

Zero CO2

Source: The world’s first hydrogen-powered boat

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This post was written by admin on August 9, 2010

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Mercedes F 800 Style, PHEV, or fuel cell with hydrogen

Mercedes F 800 Style Fuel Cell

Many people criticize the electric cars that are not on a dedicated platform, which are primarily gasoline cars, on which it was adapted, sometimes awkwardly, with limited budget, an electric motor. Mercedes intends to refute these criticisms, but without a chassis designed specifically to electric power. The trick is to develop a platform that Mercedes calls multi drive, to signify that it accepts both a conventional gasoline engine, an electric powertrain powered by a fuel cell.

Mercedes F 800 Style Fuel Cell

Mercedes has developed 2 channels traction totally different concept F 800 Style. Let’s first hybrid gasoline. Who is not entirely original, since it is an evolution of the concept of Vision S 500 Plug-in hybrid, which was already based on an evolution of the S 400 series hybrid. We thus find the V6 petrol 3.5 liter. With direct injection of new generation, he is more sober, power up to 300 hp. The electric motor is progressing much as his power increases to 80 kilowatts (109 hp).

Mercedes F 800 Style Fuel Cell

The fuel tank is 45 liters, the lithium-ion more than 10 kWh, giving 30 km of electric range and 700 km of autonomy combined. This is fairly low for a limousine. The trunk then, is not really what is expected of a big Mercedes. Its capacity is only 440 liters. It is certainly much better than a Lexus GS450h (280 liters), but it’s even bad for families, as hybrid cars more environmentally friendly, offer less autonomy and less space for luggage, than diesel.

Mercedes F 800 Style Fuel Cell

Second version, fuel cell (CAP), and again it is an evolution of an existing drivetrain also that of the F-Cell Class B CAP. This is good! The more standardization in new automotive technology, they will be more affordable. Nevertheless, this powertrain is perhaps a bit light for a big sedan with an electric motor only 100 kilowatts (136 hp). 290 Nm of torque all the same, but the speed is limited to 180 mph, which makes the F 800 concept style, the slowest of all Mercedes.

Mercedes F 800 Style Fuel Cell

Yet the best of all the saloons of the star (equal with the F-Cell), since it is zero pollution. Its use never rejects anything but a trickle of water vapor, and 5.2 kilograms of hydrogen at 700 bar pressure cylinders that contain her give a range of nearly 600 km. These 2 chains traction will meet in the future in the Mercedes range, certainly in this decade … But we will first see the new generation of the Mercedes CLS. She is the F 800 ad, with lines surprising, since very different from the slender silhouette of the current CLS, the car that started the fashion for low line sedans. We’ll see soon what happens on the production model, probably this fall.

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