| fuel cell technology |
GM updates Fuel Cell E-Flex platform for Cadillac Provoq concept by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| Cadillac Provoq E-Flex Fuel Cell concept |
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General Motors will display the third different vehicle design based on its E-Flex powertrain architecture at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The new Cadillac Provoq is mid-sized crossover utility vehicle built on a fuel-cell powered variant of E-Flex.(more) |
| oem news |
Cadillac introduces Provoq Fuel Cell Concept with advanced aerodynamics by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| 2008 Cadillac Provoq Concept |
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The Cadillac Provoq concept is debuting at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show as a luxury crossover built on a fuel cell powered version of GM's E-Flex architecture. The Provoq concept has already incorporated aerodynamic lessons learned in production development of the Chevrolet Volt.
(more) |
| government |
US House of Representatives passes energy bill, Senate filibusters by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| US Capitol Building |
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The House of Representatives has passed an energy bill that could bring the first increase in fuel economy standards since the mid 1980s. It's still unclear if this bill will become law.(more) |
| supplier features |
A123 Systems shows off new cell design for Chevy Volt by Sam Abuelsamid |
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| A123 cell |
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Lithium ion battery supplier A123 Systems has publicly shown one of the new cells that they have developed for the Chevrolet Volt at the Electric Drive Vehicle Symposium in Anaheim, California. (more) |
| oem news |
Chrysler Joins California Fuel Cell Partnership by Editorial Staff |
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Chrysler joins the California Fuel Cell Partnership, a second step in as many weeks that the now privately held automaker is stepping up its hydrogen fuel cell visibility.(more) |
| oem news |
Chrysler Readies Diesel/Hydrogen Concepts for Detroit by Editorial Staff |
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| The Chrysler ecoVoyager fuel cell concept. |
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The three Chrysler-brand concepts, for which the automaker recently provided scant detail, builds the so-called “series hybrid” solution. (more) |
| oem vehicle programs |
Toyota Says FC Program Speaks for Itself by Scott Anderson |
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| The Highlander fuel cell vehicle traveled 2,300 miles from Alaska to British Columbia. |
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While GM and Honda build interest in a retail market for hydrogen, Toyota officials were content to let their performance numbers speak for themselves without any direct promises for retail-leaning programs. The Highlander Hybrid Fuel Cell had just returned from a 2,300-mile test drive from Fairbanks, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia along the rugged Alaska-Canadian highway.
The vehicle had just returned from a 2,300-mile test drive from Fairbanks, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia along the rugged Alaska-Canadian highway. According to engineers, the test model performed perfectly on the trip, which comes after the vehicle traveled 348 miles from Osaka Japan to Tokyo on a single tank of hydrogen.
Bill Carter, Toyota Division group general manager, describes the on-road tests for the Highlander Hybrid Fuel Cell.
(Watch the video)
(more) |
| video interviews |
Honda’s FCV Program Gets Clarity by Scott Anderson |
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The Clarity has conquered problems of hot and cold running conditions and has dramatically improved efficiency and range, which is 270 miles. Honda could also vault other OEM fuel cell programs when it releases the Clarity, which will include a lithium ion battery pack. (more) |
| oem news |
Ballard Sells Auto Fuel Cell Division to Daimler, Ford by Scott Anderson |
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| Daimler and Ford will respectively own 50.1 percent and 30 percent stakes in the new firm that leverages Ballard technology |
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The new firm, “Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC) will focus on fuel cell innovations for both cars and buses, and is intended to help the two automakers harness their combined R&D efforts.(more) |
| fuel cell technology |
Hydrogen Lifts Drone to 78-Mile Flight by Scott Anderson |
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| The fuel cell Pterosoar in flight. (Photo: Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies). |
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The flight was deemed a success despite the fact that its hydrogen tank carried only 25 percent capacity upon takeoff. With a full hydrogen tank, the UAV is estimated to achieve a 310-mile range.
(more) |
| oem vehicle programs |
GM’s Big Test: Winning Hydrogen Customers by Scott Anderson |
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| The Fuel Cell Equinox doesn't look, or feel, like a space age hydrogen vehicle. |
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In January 2008, General Motors begins distributing the hydrogen version of the Equinox to residents and notable “influencers” for three month stints and test drives. The concept isn’t new – to pick up feedback from real drivers on the vehicle’s on-road performance and ease of refueling. But GM’s is the most extensive hydrogen test fleet to date. And for the automaker that has poured more than a billion dollars into its hydrogen fuel cell programs, it’s finally where the rubber meets the road.
Project Driveway Overview video
Equinox Technical Overview video
Equinox Instrument Panel video
(more) |
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Bullet2 Fuel Cell Coasts to Record by Scott Anderson |
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| The Buckeye Bullet2 |
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The 34-foot fuel cell racer developed by Ohio State University engineering students clocked 130 mph in at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. That’s fast enough to capture a speed record as measured the FIA according to team adviser Ron Butler.
However, the time was almost 100mph slower than engineers had hoped. And they see it moving north of 300mph. (more) |
| oem vehicle programs |
Mazda Premacy Hydrogen to Join Japanese Market by 2008 by Scott Anderson |
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| Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid |
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Mazda says the new Premacy powertrain improves power output by 40 percent and doubles the hydrogen-power range of its previous-generation Renesis engine on the RX-8 Hydrogen RE. The public gets a first look at the Tokyo Motor Show.(more) |
| oem news |
Hyundai Shrinks HFC Powertrain for i-Blue Concept by Editorial Staff |
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| Hyundai’s i-Blue |
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The i-Blue is Hyundai’s first purpose-built platform for a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. The Korean automaker will unveil the crossover design at the Frankfurt Auto Show.(more) |
| oem vehicle programs |
With NASA's Help, BMW Launches Hydrogen 7 Test Fleet by Editorial Staff |
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| NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour and BMW's Hydrogen 7 shared the same liquid hydrogen fuel. |
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BMW also begins its Hydrogen 7 “Pioneer Program” which provides stars, politicians and other notable figures access to its dual gasoline-liquid hydrogen luxury sedan. First to get the keys is comedy actor Will Ferrell. (more) |
| fuel cell technology |
Quick Math: Ford’s 999 = 207 MPH by Editorial Staff |
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| Ford engineers and crew members celebrate the Fusion’s 207 mph sprint.
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Ford’s adapted Fusion cruises to a land speed record and may help spawn interest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicle racing.
(more) |
| technology |
GM Hedges Battery Bets with A123 Contract by Scott Anderson |
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| A123 Systems CEO Dave Vieau says his firm is ready for the challenge of powering the Chevy Volt (background). |
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GM and the A123 Systems, based in Watertown MA, will co-develop nanophosphate lithium-ion battery cells for the automaker's E-Flex, or electric-drive, architecture.
View the Lutz video
View the Vieu video
(more) |
| fuel cell technology |
Ford Sets Stage for Salt Flats Record by Scott Anderson |
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| The Ford Fusion and Ohio State University's Bullet electric vehicle. |
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Ford’s Fusion 999 has a 770hp electric motor supplied by Ohio State University, which also will compete at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats with its Buckeye Bullet 2, a streamlined fuel cell racer Ford and the university collaborated on to build.
(more) |
| oem news |
Mazda Leases Eighth Hydrogen RX-8 to Japanese Government by Editorial Staff |
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| Mazda’s RX-8 RE |
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Mazda is pursuing the hydrogen economy, not with fuel cell stacks, but by modifying its beloved Wankel rotary engine to burn hydrogen.(more) |
| infrastructure |
Hauling the Hydrogen Infrastructure by Editorial Staff |
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| Quantum’s HyHauler creates hydrogen anywhere there’s access to electricity and water. |
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GM has purchased three transportable hydrogen refueling stations from Quantum, which is banking on the concept that mobile stations will be the “foundation” for hydrogen infrastructure. (more) |
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Engineering the Volt by Scott Anderson |
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| As a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt is going to share several systems with its internal combustion engine counterpart. |
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GM’s Nick Zielinski provided Hydrogen Forecast an inside view of the engineering challenges, internal debates and technology what-ifs that remain in getting the Chevrolet Volt into global production.
Zielinski explains the Volt's fuel cell stack.
(video)
A look at the battery challenges. (video)
(more) |
| oem news |
Analysis: Walking the Green Line by Scott Anderson |
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| Executives listen to auto pundit David Cole (center) discuss challenges and the potential of alternative fuel vehicles.
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Auto executives are walking a tighter than normal tightrope – conceding concerns of carbon emissions and global warming, while at the same time managing expectations of what exactly can be achieved under the hood. (more) |
| oem news |
Chevy Volt Gets Likely Voltage Suppliers by Scott Anderson |
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| The Volt's lithium ion battery back runs along the vehicle's center tunnel. |
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The charge is on to supply the first large scale lithium ion battery pack for production of the Chevy Volt. GM awarded a one-year development contract to battery suppliers Continental Automotive Systems and Compact Power Inc. to come up with the best application.(more) |
| oem news |
Ford’s Hydrogen Focus Has Royal Test Drive by Editorial Staff |
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| Prince Charles drives Ford’s Focus FCV. |
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Ford Motor Co. brought a good chunk of its hydrogen fleet, including the Focus FCV and Explorer FCV, to a first ever zero to low-emissions rally ride in the UK. (more) |
| vehicle review |
300 Miles With Hydrogen to Spare
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Hydrogen Forecast went along for the ride as GM tested out its fourth-generation fuel cell stack on board the Chevrolet Sequel. Since offering its pair of hydrogen vehicles for drives in September 2006, GM engineers have increased their efficiency some 30 percent. Check out how they handle the upstate New York course. Click here to view the (video).(more) |
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Auto Leaders Convene On Sustainable Car Future by Editorial Staff |
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| Martin Eberhard, co-founder and CEO of Tesla Motors, is among the speakers at the Alternative Fuel Cars forum. Pictured is the '08 Telsa Roadster. The California company just raised the price on the all-electric drive sports car from $92,000 to $98,000. |
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Some of the biggest names in green car technology will share their vision of how tomorrow's cars will be powered during an interactive forum at the University of Michigan June 12. Executives from Ford, GM, Toyota and Telsa Motors, will present their views on the future of sustainable vehicles. (more) |
| government |
Hydrogen's Legislative Record by Rob Cleveland |
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| Albert Wynn (D-MA) at the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus. Wynn introduced legislation calling for subsidies made to oil and gas companies to be redirected into hydrogen and fuel cell technology programs. |
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Legislation introduced on Capitol Hill has dwindled since President Bush's 2003 State of the Union Address when he announced a $1.2 billion hydrogen fuel initiative to reverse America's growing dependence on foreign oil by developing the technology for commercially viable hydrogen-powered fuel cells to power cars, trucks, homes and businesses. But some legislators are keeping the pressure on in 2007 with introductions to amend the federal code.(more) |
| infrastructure |
Multiple Feeds May Justify Hydrogen Economy by Rob Cleveland |
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| Fuel Cell Energy's Solid Oxide Fuel Cell |
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FuelCell Energy and Air Products are launching a “tri-generation system” designed to produce multiple energy streams and reduce the overall cost of on-site hydrogen generation, opening the door to lower-cost hydrogen.(more) |
| technology |
Proposed FCV Racing Series to Launch in '09 by Editorial Staff |
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| Sporting a sleek closed-wheel body design and 300-plus kilowatt powerplant, a 900kg FCV racer could hit 185mph, according to HERF organizers. |
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DETROIT, Michigan -- The newly established Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation (HERF) has announced an initial specifications package for its proposed “Hydrogen 500” racing series, in which hydrogen fuel cell race cars will compete head-to-head on tracks across the country.
HERF organizers say the Hydrogen 500 racing series will begin in May 2009, and expand internationally by 2011.(more) |
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First Advanced Powertrain Forum by Editorial Staff |
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| Senator Carl Levin and Corland Publisher Rob Cleveland discuss technical evolutions driving diesel and hydrogen for the North American market. |
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Senator Carl Levin and top automaker and supplier representatives attended the first Advanced Powertrain Forum held at the Detroit Athletic Club by Corland Publishing, producers of online magazines, Hydrogen Forecast and Diesel Forecast.(more) |