Fuel Cell Technology Advances Even Further!

The 2012 Honda FCX. Image Courtesy of Honda.

Anyone who has enough common sense can see that running cars on fossil fuels is a practice that needs to be phased out. The big debate that's raging in the automotive industry right now is what's the best way to wean us off our use of fossil fuels. There are people who tout biodiesel as a great alternative, mostly because the tech is pretty well-developed and could be implemented quickly. A growing faction of the auto industry is putting their weight behind electric cars, especially with the recent success of the Tesla Model S.



For years and years many of the largest automakers in the world have been trying to crack what they consider the holy grail in alternative fuels: hydrogen fuel cells. These automakers feel that fuel cell technology is the future. Fuel cell cars drive more like internal combustion models. Gas stations can be outfitted to deliver hydrogen (this one is debatable, say many electric car proponents). The best part of hydrogen fuel cells is tailpipe emissions are only a small amount of water.

There have been big problems with developing the technology. Fuel cell vehicles have been pretty slow (although Honda's FCX was the first to solve that problem). Many have wondered how the hydrogen will be stored and transported.

Mercedes has recently tackled one of the big problems: size. Hydrogen fuel cells, like lithium ion batteries, take up quite a bit of space. Quite a while ago GM was playing around with fuel cell "skateboards" where the cells were built into the car's chassis, making it thick and heavy. Mercedes has developed a fuel cell engine that is the same size as an internal combustion engine, meaning fuel cell vehicles don't have to contain a huge array along the entire chassis. Just this week Mercedes announced it is teaming up with Nissan-Renault and Ford to mass produce fuel cell vehicles and begin pushing for most hydrogen fueling infrastructure.

The new and more compact Mercedes fuel cell engine. Image courtesy of Daimler.

What does this mean for the future of the automobile? Only time will tell for sure, but a development like this could put fuel cell vehicles in the hands of millions of drivers across the globe, significantly dropping the demand for oil. I'm sure this isn't the last of this story, so look for more developments in the future. 

Paris gets electrified at the Motor Show

Every two years, the french capital welcomes the "Mondial de l'Automobile". This Motor Show, which is the most attended in the world (1,5 million visitors), is once more focused on EVs. OEMS are showing new models and a test track is welcoming visitors for a ride and drive. An electric village also welcomes plug suppliers.
Here is our guide of Paris Motor Show.




For Renault, this 2012 edition is the opportunity to launch the Zoe. This model has been homologated with an NEDC cycle range of 210 km. It also features the “Range OptimiZEr” to improve the real-world range, depending on driving conditions (between 100 and 150 km). Zoe can be charged at any level of power -taking between 30 minutes and nine hours - due to the “Caméléon” charger.
It is also the first Renault vehicle to be presented with R-Link, a multimedia system featuring a seven-inch touch screen tablet, navigation and connected services.

PSA is much focused on Hybrid4 technology. However, Peugeot makes the buzz with Onyx concept car. It is powered by a V8 hybrid engine.

Citroen is also introducing a concept car. DS3 Electrum is powered by two electric motors at the front.

Bolloré Group, which supplies Autolib' car sharing service with electric cars, is now ready to offer a version of the Bluecar for private customers. The 250 km range has been validated by intensive driving in Paris.

Small is beautiful, says Toyota. Here is the IQ EV model serie.

German OEMS are also electrifying Paris. Mercedes impresses with the amazing SLS AMG E-Cell. Daimler also exhibits the future B-Class (powered by Tesla) and the Brabus version of the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive.

BMW is showing a Spyder version of the i8 concept, as well as naked version of the i3 revealing the Life Drive structure. The other highight is the Active Tourer concept (a plug in hybrid).

Audi is also introducing a concept car. The Crosslane, which is a A1 based crossover, is a plug in hybrid.

Beside electric vehicles and plug in hybrids, fuel cell technology is well represented at Paris Motor Show. For instance, Nissan is displaying the TeRRA. This 4WD crossover has three electric motors, powered by a compact fuel cell.

Some other OEMS (Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes and Toyota) have also displayed a fuel cell car. During a European Road Tour, scandinavian organisation H2 Moves made a stop at Paris Motor Show.

As for EVs with charge points, a refuelling infrastructure has to be deployed. This what it will look like for an hydrogen station with Air Liquide.

Next, we will discuss connected cars.