Some of the questions we have for hybrid technology are now dependability in cold weather starting, reliability in highway driving standards, added to these ever so alluring fuel cost savings.
Coming In Out Of the Cold: Hybrids Put To The Test
Jennifer Lee | Reporting for FuelCellCarNews.com and InvestorIdeas.com
By Jennifer Lee
Reporting for FuelCellCarNews.com
and InvestorIdeas.com
With gas prices reaching an all time high and not much promise of an end in
sight, hybrid technology is falling under the lens of some careful scrutiny
these days with investors. In a recent article in MIT's Technology Review,
author Peter Fairley estimates "though buyers would have to pay more initially
for gas-electric hybrids, they could save, on average, $5,000 at the gas pump
over the 15-year life of a vehicle."
That's a considerable chunk, especially when we look at this past Monday's chain
reaction in rising prices, with US light crude futures increasing to around
$1.30 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, bringing the price of West Texas
Intermediate July delivery up to around $41.25 per barrel. In London, Brent
crude also rose $1.24 (3.4%) to $37.75 a barrel on the International Petroleum
Exchange.
Dr. Tae Won Lim, senior engineer with Hyundai Motor Co. in Korea reports that
the Tucson, the SUV hybrid vehicle currently being developed by the company,
"stores 152 liters of compressed hydrogen gas and the range is 186 miles per
hour" on highway driving. The Tucson comes after Hyundai's first model, the
Santa Fe, which Lim comments, "was originally designed to be a pure fuel
cell-powered vehicle. Later, Hyundai developed the hybrid version of Santa Fe
for better fuel efficiency. The Tucson is a fuel cell hybrid vehicle which has a
battery electric driving mode." The Santa Fe goes in the range of 80 miles per
hour on a 72 liter tank and this has been Hyundai's starting point in developing
a road worthy hybrid vehicle.
Reportedly, Hyundai is now targeting 2010 as the bench mark to make fuel cell
vehicles available to the public in small volume. At the moment, Hyundai is
starting to release its hybrid vehicles to fleet consumers with a group being
released in November and December, 2004. First in line for these releases are
the University of California, Davis, AC Transit, Hyundai America Technical
Centre and Southern California Edison. Presently Dr. Lim reports, "our Tucson
FCEV will be capable of starting up at -10C and operating at -20C."
In Vancouver, Canada InvestorIdeas.com recently caught up with Mike Rosenberg,
Director of Corporate Relations at Ballard Power Systems, a leading supplier in
fuel cell technology, to ask some of the key questions about how the company is
leading the way in the industry:
With all the recent attention and popularity that is being given to hybrid
vehicles, as an emerging choice for fuel conservation, a good deal of customers
will be standing in line in northern parts of the world. Keeping this in mind,
how is Ballard working on the cold weather start up problem, associated with
hybrid and fuel cell vehicles?
Answer: Today, Ballard® fuel cells run in sub-zero conditions. In fact,
Ballard has already demonstrated freezability (i.e. freeze storage) in the lab
down to -40o C for its current MK 902 stack module. Individual unit cells have
been tested and have operated in multiple freeze start cycles from -15o C
without degradation to normal operating performance.
In 2004, Ballard has set a goal to demonstrate freeze start capability along
with increased durability and a reduction in catalyst loadings while ensuring
overall engine performance, reliability and cost. Achievement of this goal will
be clear evidence of Ballard's continued technology leadership.
How would you outline Ballard's fuel cell strategy and participation in the
hybrid market over the next 6 months to 3 years?
Answer: We, as well as most of the auto industry, believe that internal
combustion engine("ICE") / battery hybrids are an interim solution that will
condition the market for fuel cell vehicles. Hybrids have a better environmental
profile than ICE vehicles but they are costly, complicated and designed
specifically for a city driving cycle.
Fuel cell vehicles, in comparison, offer zero tailpipe emissions and improved
fuel efficiencies, and are considered a no-compromise vehicle in that they will
provide similar or better performance than today's ICE vehicles.
Hybrid vehicles, however, will help pave the way for fuel cell vehicle
introduction by expanding the public's experience with new drive trains and by
reducing electric drive train component costs that will be shared with fuel cell
vehicles.
Ballard, as the world leader in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, will
continue to lead the industry by leveraging our extensive auto and bus field
trial experience and state of the art lab and manufacturing facilities.
Who are some of the car companies Ballard currently supplies fuel cell
technology to and has there been any recent interest from new clients?
Answer: Ballard continues to see strong interest by automotive companies
in its fuel cell products. In 2003, Ballard supplied fuel cell products to six
of the top ten worldwide automakers, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford and Honda.
In 2003 Ballard added two new automotive customers. Ballard's industry
leadership and capability results from our experiences since 1993 with ten of
the top 15 automakers that have built more than 110 vehicles (including 45 fuel
cell buses) using Ballard® fuel cells.
In 2004, we continue to deliver fuel cells to our partners and customers that
are being integrated into fleet vehicles. These fleet vehicles powered with
Ballard® fuel cells will yield a wealth of operational data under everyday
driving conditions that we will use to optimize the design of our next
generation fuel cell engine which is currently under development.
As far as public transport is concerned, it is noted that Ballard has
supplied over 100 fuel cells for fuel cell vehicles across various cities. There
is approximately 100 more expected to go out over this next year, with recent
partnerships made with DaimlerChrysler and Ford. Can you describe more of what's
involved with this partnership?
Answer: Ballard, DaimlerChrysler and Ford entered into an Alliance for
the development and commercialization of fuel cells for cars, buses and trucks
in 1998. Ballard is now the exclusive supplier of fuel cell products to its
partners through 2021. Ballard is responsible for developing proton exchange
membrane ("PEM") fuel cells, PEM fuel cell systems and electric drives.
From 1998 to 2002 Dc and Ford placed numerous prototype vehicles on the road. In
2004 we continue to deliver fuel cells to our partners that are being integrated
into fuel cell vehicles. These fleet vehicles powered with Ballard® fuel cells
will yield a wealth of operational data under everyday driving conditions that
we will use to meet our commercialization targets for durability, performance
and cost.
Our Alliance is stronger than ever, and we look forward to our partners placing
additional vehicles in field tests worldwide - in California, Michigan, Florida,
Japan, Singapore, Australia and Europe.
What, to the knowledge of Ballard, is the plan for hydrogen fueling stations
on the planned Hydrogen Highway in British Columbia?
Answer: Ballard strongly supports the Hydrogen Highway™ because it will
solidify Canada's leadership position in the development of a hydrogen and fuel
cell economy as it serves to accelerate the commercial introduction of fuel
cells in transportation and stationary applications.
To support the advancement of hydrogen as an alternative energy source, while
showcasing the benefits and viability of hydrogen refueling, seven hydrogen
fueling stations will be located at Vancouver's International Airport (YVR), the
University of British Columbia, the Municipality of Whistler, and other
locations in Vancouver and Victoria. The Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell
Alliance has already contributed to the building of fueling stations at the
National Research Center and at BC Hydro's Powertech facility.
The stations, utilizing unique production methods for making hydrogen, will
allow hydrogen-fueled vehicles such as the Ford Focus FCVs expected to arrive
later this year, to travel and operate in a wide array of climatic and
topographic conditions.
Jennifer Lee
Jennifer Lee has a degree in English Literature from the University of
British Columbia. She holds a publishing certificate from Simon Fraser
University and has worked at both Vancouver and Western Living magazines, where
she began her career as an editorial intern. She has worked as an editor in
countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa, producing books, newsletters and
editing various quarterly magazines on a variety of international development
related topics. In South Africa, she worked to help produce a bi-weekly
newsletter for the Institute for Security Studies on crime and corruption
headlines which appeared in all national and provincial papers. Prior to working
in southern Africa, she wrote articles for DMR Consulting, on mergers and
acquisitions taking place in the market during 2001. She now produces a
quarterly publication at the University of British Columbia and works on the
side as a freelance writer.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag
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