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.

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.

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.

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 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).

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.

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.

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.

Previous stations needed a Elctrolyse unit plus a separate compressor, umd to put pressure on the gas and liquefy. The compressor was there the biggest and most expensive component. ErsteStation As the world comes the new Honda without a compressor station and is thus considerably smaller and at least 25% more efficient

With this easy-to handhabendenTechnologie stored hydrogen does not need to be and can be produced with cheap off-peak power. During the day, solar cells produce 6kW of power station, which is fed into Netzt and thus CO2 neutral earned money.

The Honda Solar Hydrogen Station was developed as a supplement to the public network of the fast charger. The Honda FCX Clarity fuel-cell drive can be quickly loaded and offers a range of 460 kilometers. With 5-minute quick charge for longer trips and more comfortable night charge live rush hour and weekend trips no problem.

Kia and its partners Hyundai fuel cell technology is still constantly exploring, recently kia released their latest fuel cell prototype vehicles Borrego / Mohave FECV (in the Korean market known as the Mohave) video. Although Borrego FECV This is Borrego Rear / four-wheel-drive SUV with body-based architecture split, but Borreg FCEV is all-wheel drive.

Borrego FECV is driven by a 110kW, AC electric horse Ta, powered fuel cells were placed in the lower compartment, this group of the battery can deliver 115kW of power. Interesting things, Kia claim that they do not need high-pressure fuel cell air pressure, so I do not compressors that a majority of the major components of fuel cell vehicles. Kia also said that their fuel cell vehicles can use 98% of all hydrogen to produce energy.

Brake energy recovery system from the electricity will be stored in a super-capacitor module, and then will be needed to provide additional impetus. Kia has not yet indicated that they use 700Bar hydrogen storage capacity of the system, but the car’s mileage up to 700 kilometers, Kia plans to produce in 2012 small-scale Borreg FCEV, while the large-scale production will have to in the small-scale production after three years.

Production stage, the technology had already reached, however, stressed Joachim Schmidt, head of sales with a view to the first 200 vehicles produced by industrial processes, and in 2010 delivered in a pilot project. They are based on the current B-class and are driven by an electric motor with 100 kW and a torque of 290 Newton meters. Although the fuel cell needs in the B-class normalized to 100 kilometers is just 3.3 liters of diesel and hydrogen at the current price of around nine euros per kilo cheaper to maintain

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

The Honda FCX Clarity, a new revolutionary small fuel cell provides the central tunnel for the electricity, the electric motor drives the 100kW(136Hp) the four-seat sedan. 258 Nm torque serve from the first moment of driving pleasure. Small engine, small fuel cells, small lithium-ion battery and hydrogen tank, a shallow (171ltr.) under the rear seats have given the designers the opportunity to design a car with an optimal space for the passengers. Because unlike a conventional powertrain, the individual units need not be fitted to each other in certain positions. This results in a short hood, and an extremely falch niedruiger subfloor (no exhaust system) and a one-box design with lots of space. In 1625-pound FCX Clarity will be 160 km/h fast. With a consumption of 2.8 liters of diesel per 100 km corresponds pruduziert but no exhaust other than water vapor. Range: 460 kilometers

Daihatsu is “The 41st Tokyo Motor Show,” was exhibited, hydrazine hydrate (hydrate Haidorajin: N2H4 · H2O) using a fuel cell vehicle platform, as compared to conventional fuel cells use hydrogen as fuel and on the available amount of liquid fuel with fewer, platinum (Pt) without the need for expensive catalysts such as precious metals (Figure 1, story).

The new fuel cell has been developed by Daihatsu, fuel hydrazine hydrate (N2H4 · H2O) can be introduced directly into the power generation and liquid fuels. Conventional PEFC (polymer fuel cell electrolyte population), the catalyst used, was used expensive platinum-based catalyst is required to work in the highly acidic environment.

In contrast, Daihatsu PMfLFC alkaline environment because it works, characterized by the use of cobalt and nickel as a catalyst. Could be reduced substantially the cost of fuel cells for this purpose. The use of hydrogen fuel for the PEFC, it can use liquid fuel, the fuel easier to handle, it is characterized by a high degree of freedom in the shape of the fuel tank.

However, many issues still to be commercialized. One is the efficiency, at present to less than PEFC. Therefore, in collaboration with foreign universities and research institutions are continuing efforts to improve efficiency. The 30 percent concentration or higher concentration of hydrazine hydrate is toxic control law has been given to the deleterious substance, and essential safety measures. Daihatsu This is assumed to be of solid polymer with hydrazine hydrate inside the fuel tank.

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.