Ford Unveils World’s First Drivable Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle With Plug-In Ca

[DRU842]

Ford Unveils World’s First Drivable Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle With Plug-In Capability

Photo: Ford

Ford Edge with HySeries Drive™

The Ford Edge with HySeries Drive™ is the world’s first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability. Ford’s flexible powertrain architecture enables the use of new fuel and propulsion technologies as they develop without redesigning the vehicle and its control systems. The HySeries Drive technology is able to operate using a fuel cell, small gasoline or diesel engine connected to an electric generator to make electricity.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ford Motor Company unveiled the world’s first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric plug-in that combines an onboard hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium-ion batteries to deliver more than 41 mpg with zero emissions. The vehicle is built on a flexible powertrain architecture that will enable Ford to use new fuel and propulsion technologies as they develop without redesigning the vehicle.

“This vehicle offers Ford the ultimate in flexibility in researching advanced propulsion technology,” said Gerhard Schmidt, vice president of research and advanced engineering for Ford Motor Company. “We could take the fuel cell power system out and replace it with a down-sized diesel, gasoline engine or any other powertrain connected to a small electric generator to make electricity like the fuel cell does now.”

The new HySeries Drive™ powertrain featured in a Ford Edge uses a real-world version of the powerplant envisioned in the Ford Airstream concept unveiled earlier this month at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The HySeries Drive powertrain delivers a combined city/highway gasoline equivalent fuel economy rating of 41 mpg. For those who drive less than 50 miles each day, the average jumps to more than 80 mpg.

The plug-in hybrid is powered by a 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack at all times. The vehicle drives the first 25 miles each day on stored electricity alone, after which the fuel cell begins operating to keep the battery pack charged. This provides another 200 miles of range for a total of 225 miles with zero emissions. Individual experiences will vary widely and can stretch out the time between fill-ups to more than 400 miles: drivers with modest daily needs would need to refuel only rarely, drivers who travel less than 50 miles each day will see fuel economy well over 80 mpg, while those with long daily commutes will see somewhat lower numbers as the fuel cell must run a larger fraction of the time.

The Ford Edge with HySeries Drive can travel at speeds of up to 85 mph. An on-board charger (110/220 VAC) can refresh the battery pack when a standard home outlet is available, making the concept a true plug-in hybrid.

When the battery pack is depleted to approximately 40 percent, the hydrogen fuel cell – supplied by Ford partner Ballard – automatically turns on and begins generating electricity to recharge the batteries. Like a conventional automobile, the Ford Edge with HySeries Drive will go until it runs out of fuel – in this case via a 350-bar hydrogen tank that supplies 4.5 kg of useable hydrogen.

The HySeries Drive name is derived from the powertrain’s structure: a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered series hybrid drivetrain. This highly innovative approach reduces the size, weight, cost and complexity of a conventional fuel cell system by more than 50 percent. It also promises to more than double the lifetime of the fuel cell stack.

This flexible powertrain architecture enables the use of new fuel and propulsion technologies as they develop and become available without the need to redesign the vehicle and its control systems.

Certainly, many significant technical hurdles need to be overcome before a vehicle such as the Edge with HySeries Drive can become a reality. Fuel cell vehicles remain expensive, costing millions of dollars each. And the single biggest hurdle to plug-ins remains the cost of lithium-ion batteries. Much work also needs to be done to make fuel cells more durable and to create a hydrogen infrastructure.

(Jan. 23, 2007)

http://www.autointell.com/News-2007/...n-23-07-p1.htm

[BTTB]

[goldfire]

I so want one.

Also in this weeks zoo they unveil toyota's new hybrid and holy sh!t does it look sexy.

Only thing that really caught me on that little article in the OP was how often they mention the drive train, i mean sure it's an important component but to me the more focus would be on the fuel economy and power of the vehicle.

wonder if we ever gonna see a xr6t as hybrid hehe

[Raptor]

An on-board charger (110/220 VAC) can refresh the battery pack when a standard home outlet is available, making the concept a true plug-in hybrid.

If you have to plud it into a wall socket to recharge how can they claim zero emissions :

The elctricity coming from the wall sockets had to be generated somewhere, most likely a coal fired power station and they sure aren't zero emission plants.

Also what about the hydrogen fuel for the fuel cell. Are zero emmisions created when refining/packing/storing/transporting the hydrogen? I don't think so.

Still, at least it gets the media and thus publics attention and starts people thinking more about fuel efficiency and emissions, but I don't think we have the holy grail of pollution free transport just yet.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Raptor

If you have to plud it into a wall socket to recharge how can they claim zero emissions :

The elctricity coming from the wall sockets had to be generated somewhere, most likely a coal fired power station and they sure aren't zero emission plants.

Also what about the hydrogen fuel for the fuel cell. Are zero emmisions created when refining/packing/storing/transporting the hydrogen? I don't think so.

Still, at least it gets the media and thus publics attention and starts people thinking more about fuel efficiency and emissions, but I don't think we have the holy grail of pollution free transport just yet.

that's not fair to say, just because the government isnt doing all it can to generate electricity emissions free- and i dont think car companies are either, but we should be supporting them in this. Obviously if we only had wind, solar, hydro electricity, it would be emissions free. And when the time comes that they switch over to better sources, you dont have to change your car to reap the benefits. If it was coal powered, it would still be better off running elec cars, than everyone driving 100% gasoline powered cars. It's stupid to say why bother having elec cars.

[Raptor]

Don't get me wrong.

I DO SUPPORT the initiative, both for advancing the technology and rasing public awareness.

What I don't support are misleading statements such as zero emissions. The vehicle itself may not emit any emissions but the production of the energy (electricty and/or hydrogen) at it's source does.

This is another step in the right direction, just don't assume the journey is over yet

Just don't get me started on the misinformation campaign being run by the nuclear industry of it being safe and having zero emissions

[goldfire]

Originally Posted by Raptor

Don't get me wrong.

I DO SUPPORT the initiative, both for advancing the technology and rasing public awareness.

What I don't support are misleading statements such as zero emissions. The vehicle itself may not emit any emissions but the production of the energy (electricty and/or hydrogen) at it's source does.

This is another step in the right direction, just don't assume the journey is over yet

Just don't get me started on the misinformation campaign being run by the nuclear industry of it being safe and having zero emissions

So by your statement does that mean that Product X whilst being physically constructed here in australia can't say "Made in Australia"?..

They said the car is zero emission.. and considering that the only emissions would be water in the form of steam from the fuel cell then their statement is correct, even tho said water is legally and technically an emission.

They never said that the powerstation was emission free, their not trying to sell that.

[GXL078]

I just hope they still have real cars around by the time my sone is old enough to drive so I can teach him all the stuff my Dad taught me. I might even hand my XC down to him if they don't legislate it off the road by then.

[Piotr]

Raptor the car itself produces ZERO emmisions. The main point is to get the pollution away from population centres so the majority of people who live in large cities have cleaner air.

Large scale electricity production is much more efficient than the internal combustion engines found in automobiles. So whatever way you look at it there is a large reduction in emissions.

Energy cannot be created nor destroyed and nothing is 100% efficient so there will always be "polution" the point is reduce it as much as possible.

[Jayden]

Definatly a kick in the right direction, the sooner everyone has one the sooner we can save the remainder of the petrol for classic muscle cars

Pretty exiting technology when you think about what may be around in just 10 years or so, even on the drag strips.

[The Monty]

Its good to see a electric type car that doenst look like a fish/car hybrid with developmental problems.