300,000 Kilometers In A Mercedes Fuel Cell Vehicle

Toyota, Honda and Hyundai are not the only car makers working on fuel cell vehicles. Mercedes-Benz has a fleet of 300 B Class-based fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) that have traveled 5.6 million miles since 2010. Recently, one of those cars drove more than 186,000 miles in normal driving conditions, proving that FCEVs offer long term reliability in the real world.

That accomplishment earned Mercedes a Fuel Cell Innovation Award from a jury composed of economists, scientists and political leaders who said “The test is a step in the direction of series-ready application of the fuel cell drive train.” Mercedes is working closely with Ford and Nissan to develop a common fuel cell drivetrain that will be available in showrooms by 2017.

But before that can happen, the hydrogen infrastructure to refuel FCEVs will need to make enormous strides forward. Nobody is going to buy an FCEV if it can’t be refueled conveniently. Recently, the process was given a boost after standards for hydrogen refueling equipment were established.

Mercedes is aware of the challenge and is aggressively pursuing the build-out of hydrogen transportation and refueling systems. Says Prof. Herbert Kohler, chief environmental officer of Daimler AG.“We have clearly demonstrated that the fuel cell electric drive is ready for the road. The last hurdles we will overcome in intensive cross-industry and cross-border teamwork.”

So, is the hydrogen economy ready for prime time? Right now, most  hydrogen is derived from natural gas. Thanks to the rise in fracking here in America and around the world, natural gas is readily available. But if the purpose of FCEVs is to help the environment and if FCEVs rely on fracking for fuel, is the hydrogen economy a step forward or a step back for our beleaguered global eco-system?

Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter obtains Whole Vehicle Type Approval

The Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, jointly developed by Intelligent Energy and Suzuki Motor Corporation, has obtained European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA). WVTA qualifies the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter design as safe to use on public European roads without having to be inspected and tested individually.

First exhibited at the 41^st Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009, the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, equipped with the latest version of Intelligent Energy’s air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell system, has been participating in a UK public road testing program run by Intelligent Energy and supported by the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board. The Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter design has now met with specified EU performance standards meaning that the vehicle and its components are approved for production and sale within Europe.

Suzuki Motor Corporation is pleased to announce that the Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter has become the world’s first fuel cell vehicle to earn Whole Vehicle Type Approval in the European Union. Our aim is to make eco-friendly fuel cell scooters increasingly common in Europe, in line with the establishment of hydrogen filling stations and other necessary infrastructure.

—O. Suzuki, Chairman and CEO, Suzuki Motor Corporation

The Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter was jointly launched in Europe at London’s City Hall in February 2010.

Source: Green Car Congress

Daimler AG Claims Fuel Cells To Be Affordable As EV's

Daimler F-Cell Fuel Cell Vehicle










Daimler AG predicts a big decline in the costs for EV batteries and fuel cell cars.

"A few years ago, the price was at about 1,500 euros per kilowatt hour [for a lithium ion battery]. In the midterm we should be at a level of 400 euros," Herbert Kohler, head of e-drive and future mobility at Daimler, told Automotive News Europe.

Kohler said he expected an even bigger price decrease for fuel cells.

"By 2015, we think a fuel cell car will not cost more than a four-cylinder diesel hybrid that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard," Kohler said.

He added that he expects EVs to be more expensive than fuel cells in less than five years.

That is why Daimler is working fast to get more fuel cell cars on the road.

"By 2013-2014, we want to bring a four-digit-number of fuel cell vehicles to market," Kohler said.

Daimler has spent the past year running a test fleet of its B-class fuel cells cars. The company plans to launch a second-generation of the car when it starts building the next-generation A- and B-class models on its new front-wheel drive architecture in 2013-2014. Kohler added that Daimler may make fuel cell versions of the C- and E-class luxury models

Another reason Daimler is bullish on fuel cells is because of its cooperation with German supplier Linde AG.

"For gas-producers in general, fuel-cells are a very profitable business-case" Kohler said. "I expect that there will be a network of 1,000 fuel-stations in Germany alone in the mid-term. This means that you will find a fuel-station for your fuel cell within 30 kilometers."

When asked about media speculation that Daimler and Toyota Motor Corp. plan to work closer together on fuel cells, Kohler said: "We have talked about basic technologies and we want to continue that. But a close cooperation is not in sight so far."

Source: Automotive News

AVL Presenting Fuel Cell Commuter at Expo Shanghai 2010

AVL is presenting an electric vehicle with a fuel cell range extender at the Austria Tec Week within the scope of Expo Shanghai 2010. AVL says that the substantial advantage of the AVL Fuel Cell Commuter (AVL FCC) is its continuous availability due to the significantly reduced charging time: refueling with hydrogen only takes a few minutes, while charging a battery takes a few hours.

The AVL Fuel Cell Commuter. Click to enlarge.

This technology in the AVL FCC is the result of a research project conducted in conjunction with Tongji University, which is supported with financial means from the climate fund.

AVL recently opened an advanced battery laboratory with testing equipment, simulators and associated automation systems at the AVL Shanghai Tech Center, taking another step towards electrification of the powertrain. AVL said the laboratory will enable it increasingly to offer customers services directly on site.

AVL has been engaged in business activities in China for more than three decades. The first project with a Chinese customer started in 1974 and in 1987 the first AVL office opened in Beijing. At present, AVL in China has around 250 employees.

Source: Green Car Congress