US: Ford unveils first drivable fuel cell plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
Tuesday, January 23, 2007, AutomotiveWorld.com
Ford has unveiled a prototype version of its Edge crossover in Washington DC, which it claims is the world's first drivable fuel cell plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. It combines an onboard hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium-ion batteries and produces no emissions.
According to Ford, the Ford Edge is equipped with what it calls a 'HySeries Drive' flexible powertrain which will enable the vehicle to run on new fuel and propulsion technologies without being redesigned.
Gerhard Schmidt, Ford vice president of research and advanced engineering, said the fuel cell can be replaced with a downsized diesel or gasoline engine or any other powertrain connected to an electric generator to produce electricity similar to the fuel cell.
The new HySeries Drive powertrain is a version of the powerplant designed for the Ford Airstream concept which was unveiled earlier this month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The HySeries Drive powertrain is said to offer a combined city/highway gasoline equivalent fuel economy of 41mpg. Schmidt says that people who drive less than 50 miles daily can get an average fuel economy of over 80mpg. The plug-in hybrid is powered by a 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack at all times. The 350-bar hydrogen tank supplies 4.5kg of useable hydrogen.
The HySeries Drive powertrain reduces the size, weight and cost of a conventional fuel cell stack by over 50% while doubling the durability of the stack.
The Ford Edge has a top speed of 85mph. An on-board system (110/220 VAC) recharges the battery pack. When the batteries are depleted to approximately 40%, the Ballard hydrogen fuel cell is automatically activated and recharges them.
Ford says the Edge runs the first 25 miles daily on stored electricity after which the fuel cell begins charging the battery pack. This provides a range of another 200 miles with zero emissions.
According to Ford, several technical hurdles, such as the high cost of lithium-ion batteries, making fuel cells more durable and the need for a hydrogen infrastructure, have to be crossed before the Edge prototype can be commercially produced.
Currently, Ford has a fleet of 30 hydrogen-powered Focus fuel cell vehicles on the road as part of an international seven-city programme to test fuel cell technology.
Published on Tuesday, January 23, 2007
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