Two new fuel cell vehicles made their debut at the LA Auto Show (November 21-30, 2008). Honda revealed its futuristic concept vehicle, the FC Sport (image below), a three-seat sportster with an ultra-low center of gravity. Honda’s V Flow fuel cell technology was reconfigured for this sports vehicle, with the fuel cell located beneath the two rear seats, the battery placed low in the middle of the Sport and the electric motor just forward of the rear axle. Two car’s two visible hydrogen tanks are located above the rear axle. Kia’s new Borrego FCEV (image above), the fourth generation of Hyundai-Kia’s FCEV program, features the company’s 115-kW fuel cell system and a lithium-ion battery in a hybrid-drive system and offers a zero starting capability down to -30C. The SUV can attain a maximum speed of 100 mph with a traveling range of 315 miles. The company plans to deploy a small fleet of the fuel cell Borregos on roadsways during 2010.
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December 1, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
Jennifer says...
Volkswagen also showcased three fuel cell prototypes - the Tiguan HyMotion, a compact, sporty SUV; the Touran, a compact minivan; and the Passat Lingyu, a sedan designed for use in China. Both the Tiguan and Touran utilize a VW-developed high temperature fuel cell stack while the Passat Lingyu’s fuel cell was developed by Shanghai Volkswagen with help from Tongji University.
http://www.media.vw.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=10428
December 13, 2008 @ 7:40 am
folu okusaga says...
Monash universities modelled a proton exchange membrane fuel cell using direct methanol. the cell seems to be one of the cheapest i’ve seen. its as efficient as any other. the modelled cars are awesome but i think its safer to use hydrgen rich compounds as sources rather than using it directly
December 27, 2008 @ 6:46 pm
Carl R Rushton says...
Through water electrolysis (Avalence LLC) this system produces hydrogen on board the vehicle. Hydrogen mixed with Oxygen through a PEM fuel cell stack (General Motors) creates electricity to power a 1st stage motor and magnet generator to power the main batteries this eliminates the combustion engine. Using magnet generators on the rear axels the car produces power through motion.
First use the hydrogen generator which produces hydrogen through electrolysis. Produce enough hydrogen on board the vehicle to power a small stack of PEM fuel cells to power the first stage motor which powers a DC magnet generator. This is much like a Dewalt re-chargeable drill. The fuel cell powers the 18Volt rechargeable battery and the size of the magnet generator can be sized to recharge the main batteries in 3-6 hours. Secondly, Design the vehicle with front wheel drive electric motors, leave the rear wheels to attach their axels to magnet generators so when you drive you are producing power directly to the front wheel drive electric motors or to the main batteries. After a 50 mile commute to work the main batteries should be fully charged and if not the 1st stage fuel cell magnet generator will top of the main batteries for the commute home. This system of power loss and recovery should provide enough hydrogen and electricity for a power system that could take you across country on water, air and a small amount of hydrogen.
Please find below the components required and are in production.Hydrogen Generator by Avalence LLC http://www.avalence.com/products/default.asp Electric Motors at the wheels typical of all electric carsPEM Fuel Cell care of GM http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_pem.shtmlDC magnet generators, been around for years.Carl R Rushton Expired patent #60/716,613