While there is a lot of hype around GM’s Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid vehicle, GM is out to remind us that it is still making progress on its fuel-cell vehicle program. The Detroit automaker said that it is making significant developments towards building advanced hydrogen fuel-cell designs that will result in more affordable hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Currently, GM’s Project Driveway, which was launched in 2007, consists of more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell electric vehicles.

“The vehicles were hand-built, making them very expensive, but the builds helped establish a new supplier community and resolved many technical challenges,” said GM’s Executive Director, Fuel Cell Activities Charles Freese.

“It is still expensive, but the costs are coming down dramatically,” Freese said. “Our next-generation fuel-cell architecture is 220 pounds lighter, uses about half the parts and roughly a third of the precious metals, compared to the still impressive [Chevrolet] Equinox demonstration vehicles.”

- By: Omar Rana

Source: GM FastLane Blog

Earlier this year (March to be exact), Mercedes-Benz announced that it has completed winter testing for the upcoming 2010 Mercedes-Benz B-Class with fuel-cell drive in northern Sweden. Well, here it is in its complete production form.

Power comes from a new generation of fuel-cell drive mated to an electric motor that produces 136-hp and a maximum torque of 213 lb-ft. Along with zero-emission fuel-cell drive, the B-Class F-CELL gets an outstanding fuel-consumption of 71 mpg with a total driving range of 239 miles. 0 to 62 mph will take around 11 seconds with a top speed of 105 mph.

Mercedes-Benz said that production of the B-Class F-CELL will start in 2009. The first 200 units will be delivered to customers in Europe and the United States at the beginning of 2010.

It has been previously reported that Mercedes-Benz plans on offering 100,000+ fuel-cell vehicles a year by 2014 or 2015.

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery and the press release.

2010 Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL:

Press Release:

Mercedes-Benz B Class F-CELL – New fuel cell car from Mercedes-Benz: 100 percent driving pleasure, zero emissions

Mercedes-Benz is launching its first series-produced fuel cell car on the road: the new B‑Class F-CELL. The environmentally friendly electric car has better a performance similar to than a 2,0-litre petrol car and is fully suited for everyday driving. The zero-emission drive system consumes the equivalent of 3.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). Production of the B‑Class F-CELL will commence in late 2009 with a small lot. The first of around 200 vehicles will be delivered to customers in Europe and the USA at the beginning of next year.

The new fuel cell vehicle offers everything that people expect from a Mercedes-Benz: High comfort and safety as well as no reduction in interior space and boot capacity. Customers will not have to sacrifice any driving pleasure either, because the electric motor has a peak performance of 100 kW/136 hp and a maximum torque of 290 Nm, which is available from the first rotation. It ensures that the B‑Class F-CELL, whose impressive dynamic handling properties are in some cases far better than those of a two-litre petrol car, gets off to an excellent start. Despite these qualities, the zero-emission fuel cell drive consumes the equivalent of only 3.3 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC). Thanks to its great range of about 400 kilometres and short refuelling times of around three minutes, the B‑Class F-CELL ensures local zero-emission mobility even for long stretches.

“2009 is the year in which we are establishing further milestones where sustainable mobility is concerned. The B-Class F-CELL is taking on a pioneering role as the world’s first fuel cell powered automobile to be produced under series production conditions”, says Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Development for Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The vehicle’s technological heart is the new generation of the compact, high-performance fuel cell system, in which gaseous hydrogen reacts with atmospheric oxygen at 700 bar to generate a current for the electric motor. The fuel cell system of the B‑Class F-CELL has a very good cold-start capability even at temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius. The drive system was completely newly developed versus the F-CELL A-Class presented in 2004, with Mercedes-Benz engineers achieving considerable improvements in output, torque, operating range, reliability, starting characteristics and comfort. The B-Class F-CELL now offers driving pleasure and day-to-day suitability at Mercedes level – without local emissions.

As in hybrids with combustion engines, the fuel-cell car uses a lithium-ion battery with an output of 35 kW and a capacity of 1.4 kWh to boost power and recover braking energy. Lithium-ion technology offers several advantages over conventional batteries, including compact dimensions, high performance, great recharge efficiency and a long service life.

The B‑Class F-CELL employs the unique sandwich floor architecture that is well-known from the A- and B-Class. The advantage of this design is that the drive components are located in the sandwich floor, where they are protected and don’t take up much space so that the vehicle’s interior remains fully usable and a boot capacity of 416 litres is available.

The B-Class F-CELL does not need to fear comparison where equipment is concerned either. Eye-catching features include a bonamite silver paint finish and exclusive light-alloy wheels in a 10-spoke design. In the interior, leather upholstery, seat heating, automatic climate control and the COMAND-system, as well as other features, continue to ensure a high level of comfort.

Same level of safety as in other Mercedes cars

No matter what the conditions, the operational reliability of the B‑Class F-CELL is of the same high level as in Mercedes vehicles with conventional combustion engines. The B‑Class F-CELL’s integrated safety concept takes the specific characteristics of the innovative drive system into account. The concept incorporates the expertise from the many years of experience Mercedes-Benz has had with fuel cell drives and high-voltage applications. Mercedes engineers have tested and optimised the drive-specific components’ safety in more than 30 additional crash tests.

Network of filling stations required for car’s widespread use

With more than 100 test vehicles and a combined total of over 4.5 million kilometres of trial testing, Daimler and Mercedes-Benz have the most extensive experience with fuel cell vehicles of any manufacturer worldwide. The B‑Class F-CELL is further testimony of this technology’s high level of development for automotive use. However, a comprehensive network of hydrogen filling stations still has to be set up before locally zero-emission driving can become a widespread reality. To make this possible, Daimler is cooperating with government authorities, energy utilities and oil companies in joint projects in places such as Hamburg, Stuttgart and California.

Mercedes-Benz views the development of electric cars with battery and fuel cell drives for local zero-emission driving as a means of supplementing vehicles with high-tech internal combustion engines. Advanced diesel and petrol engines will remain important for automotive applications for a long time to come – not only for individual mobility in passenger cars – especially over long distances – but, more importantly, for freight transport in trucks. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, will increasingly be used in urban transport.

By: Stephen Calogera

A 2009 Coventry University graduate, James Trim, has unveiled his latest project and the idea of a greener, much-more environmentally friendly Aston Martin. Known as the Aston Martin Volare, Trim says that his design will keep Aston’s “fantastic sound and outright performance customary with that of a petrol equivalent, but would provide drivers the world over with equal amounts of guilt free motoring.”

While we highly doubt anyone driving an Aston Martin has any ounce of guilt, we think Trim may actually be onto something here.

Trim says that “the two-seater Volare adopts a high-power fuel cell stack, located between the front seats, a rear mounted battery pack, and a co-axial electric motor at the front. To aid the Volare’s weight distribution, the two hydrogen storage tanks have been positioned directly above the car’s rear axle.” He says that the layout ends up giving the Volare an optimum weight distribution.

We don’t want to even think about the cost of development and the price-tag of such an Aston Martin, but kudos to Trim for coming up with this green-supercar idea.

Aston Martin Volare Study Concept (James Trim):

- By: Omar Rana

Source: James Trim (via WorldCarFans)

In the past couple of days, we’ve seen automakers flaunt their electric-car developments. General Motors announced that its 2011 Chevrolet Volt will average 230 mpg in the city (allegedly); Nissan introduced its Nissan LEAF EV; and electric-sports car maker Tesla Motors announced that it turned profitable for the first time.

However, Honda Motor Co. is not impressed and is backing up hydrogen power for the cars of the future.

“Fuel-cell cars will become necessary,” said Takashi Moriya, head of Honda’s group developing the technology. “We’re positioning it as the ultimate zero-emission car.”

Honda, which is the only automaker leasing fuel-cell vehicles to the public, opened a production line in Tochigi to produce 200 units of its FCX Clarity sedan.

“Honda has a propensity to think very long term,” said Ed Kim, an analyst at AutoPacific Inc. “It’s also part of the company culture that if they’ve made a decision they think is correct, they’ll really stick with it.”

Honda’s fuel-cell strategy seems to be at odds with the Obama administration’s goal to favor electric-vehicles over fuel-cell powered cars. The Department of Energy recently provided Nissan with $1.6 billion in funding to develop electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries. Tesla Motors also received $465 million to produces its Model S electric-sedan.

Honda FCX Clarity:

- By: Kap Shah

Just last week, the Obama administration announced that it will eliminate former President George W. Bush’s $1.2 billion plan to develop cars that run on hydrogen fuel-cells. The current administration said that they would much rather target more immediate fuel-saving solutions.

However, that hasn’t stopped from GM/Opel to continue testing their HydroGen4 vehicles. GM said in statement released yesterday that the road tests of the HydroGen4 vehicles in Berlin continue to show that fuel-cell cars are reliable and that in the future, hydrogen mobility is viable.

Opel currently has 10 HydroGen4 prototype running in Berlin with 8 of them being used by everyday users.

“The feedback from drivers about the HydroGen4 and its refueling has been highly encouraging,” said Dr. Lars Peter Thiesen, Manager, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Deployment Strategy for GM/Opel in Europe. “The vehicles have been very reliable, proving in principal the viability of hydrogen technology and fuel cell vehicles. Clearly, the HydroGen4 is a forerunner to environmentally friendly hydrogen-based transportation.”

Power for the HydroGen4 comes from 440 single cells, which combine the ‘H’ to the ‘O’ from the air to produce electricity. The carbon fiber tanks hold 4.2 kg of hydrogen at a pressure of 700 bars allowing for 199 mile range.

Make the jump for the press-release and the high-res image gallery.

GM HydroGen4 Concept:

Press Release:

Real world testing proves GM/Opel HydroGen4 fuel cell vehicles viable

Half year report on Clean Energy Partnership given at Electric Vehicle Symposium 24

Stavanger, Norway. Six months into road testing of HydroGen4 vehicles in Berlin has shown the fourth generation of GM/Opel fuel cell cars are reliable and that the future of hydrogen mobility is viable, an Opel engineer told an audience of academic, government and industry professionals at the Electric Vehicle Symposium 24 (EVS 24).

EVS 24, the world’s premier conference on electric drive technologies, is being held in Stavanger, Norway.

“The feedback from drivers about the HydroGen4 and its refueling has been highly encouraging,” said Dr. Lars Peter Thiesen, Manager, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Deployment Strategy for GM/Opel in Europe. “The vehicles have been very reliable, proving in principal the viability of hydrogen technology and fuel cell vehicles. Clearly, the HydroGen4 is a forerunner to environmentally friendly hydrogen-based transportation.”

Opel put 10 HydroGen4 vehicles on Berlin streets in December 2008. Currently, eight are in the hands of businesses whose drivers use the HydroGen4 daily, allowing engineers to test how the vehicles perform and are refueled in real-world conditions. It is Opel’s contribution to the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Transport, Building and Urban Development, which aims to prove the suitability of hydrogen as a vehicle fuel.

Opel’s engagement in the CEP project is the European part of GM’s Project Driveway, in which private individuals and industry partners have driven more than 100 HydroGen4 vehicles worldwide. During this testing, GM has been collecting important data to further the development of technology towards the goal of building fuel cell production vehicles. So far the fourth generation vehicles have been driven more than 1.1 million kilometers in total by customers and have been filled up more than 7,400 times at fueling stations.

- By: Omar Rana

President Barack Obama eliminated former President George W. Bush’s $1.2 billion plan to develop cars powered by hydrogen fuel-cells. The move wills save you, the taxpayers, a whopping $100 million annually.

“The probability of deploying hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in the next 10 to 20 years is low,” Energy Department spokesman Tom Welch told Automotive News.

According to Energy Secretary Steven Chu, the Obama administration plans to target more immediate fuel-saving solutions.

Welch said that there is a large cost involved with developing infrastructures for hydrogen fueling stations for cars. He said that there are also huge technical obstacles to produce hydrogen and storing it in vehicle as a fuel-source.

President Obama’s fiscal 2010 budge proposal has $68.2 million for fuel-cell technologies, down form $169 million last year.

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Photo Credit: Flickr by Pete Souza

The Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster, built by 150 trainees of a dual-education system, took the historic route taken by Bertha Benz this weekend. The fuel-cell powered concept started its trip in Mannheim and finished at the chemist’s shop in Wiesloch, where the Bertha Benz stopped to refuel during the first long-distance journey in automobile history 1888.

“This trip by the F-CELL Roadster is symbolic of the current change taking place in automobile engineering”, says Dr. Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler AG Executive Board responsible for corporate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Power for the F-CELL Roadster comes from a fuel-cell system that outputs of 1.2 kW allowing it to reach a top speed of 15 mph and an operating range of 217 miles.

Mercedes-Benz said that before the end of this year it will launch a small-series production of the B-Class with a fuel-cell drive system. Later this year the first units of the Smart ForTwo electric-drive will also roll of the production line.

Click through for the high-res image gallery.

Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster Takes Historic Route:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Mercedes-Benz today unveiled its new F-CELL Roadster Concept. The project is a result of more than 150 trainees and dual-education system students that worked together to build the roadster with fuel-cell drive.

The F-CELL Roadster concept is powered by a fuel-cell system located at the rear with a power rating of 1.2 kW that allows it to reach a top speed of 15 mph and an operating range of 217 miles.

Of course we doubt anyone will ever travel 217 miles at the top speed of 15 mph but shall pay respect where it is due – so congratulations to everyone who worked on the F-CELL Roadster.

Click through for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Mercedes-Benz F-Cell Roadster Concept:

Press Release:

- Young people unite high tech and tradition

- Alternative drive systems as a training topic

In a hitherto unique project bridging various fields of profession, the trainees of Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz plant have built a Roadster with fuel cell drive. For about a year, more than 150 trainees and dual education system students worked on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the F-CELL Roadster. This project involved junior employees from the fields of automotive mechatronics, model-building, electronics, coating technology, manufacturing mechanics, product design, and interior appointments. The prime objective of the project was to integrate the topic of alternative drive systems into training with hands-on experience.

“This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training,” said Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig. “I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project.”

Tradition meets the future

The F-CELL Roadster uniquely combines state-of-the-art technologies with the history of vehicle construction. As an allusion to the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886, the vehicle is fitted with large spoked wheels. Moreover, the F-CELL Roadster incorporates stylistic elements from diverse eras of automotive history, such as the carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and the distinctively styled fiberglass front section, based on the component from the Formula One racing bolides.

The F-CELL Roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick takes the place of a conventional steering wheel. The vehicle is powered by the emission-free fuel cell system located at the rear. With a power rating of 1.2 kW the F-CELL Roadster reaches a top speed of 25 km/h and has an operating range of up to 350 km.

- By: Kap Shah

Top Gear was all green this past weekend. Following Clarkson’s review of the Tesla Roadster, James May has gotten his hands on the Honda FCX Clarity – a car that Honda says it may mass produce within 10 years. For now the Honda FCX Clarity is available for leasing in SoCal for $600 a month.

The Honda FCX Clarity is powered by an advanced new lithium-ion battery pack that is 40 percent lighter and 50 percent smaller than the modern hybrid powertrains. The FCX Clarity has a 5,000-psi hydrogen storage tank. It produces a total of 134-hp and gets a combined fuel-economy of 74 mpg according to EPA mileage estimates. The car is capable of going 280 miles on one fill.

Our main man Jay Leno also makes a guest appearance during this segment of Top Gear.

Note: YouTube may take down the video very soon – so watch it as soon as you can.

Follow the jump to see the video.

Honda FCX Clarity:

• •  Kia’s Borrego FCEV unveils next-generation of fuel-cell technology.
• •  Fuel Cell Output: 154-hp; additional power output: 134-hp Supercapacitor.
• •  54 mpg combined fuel-economy; 426 miles from 202 liter hydrogen tank.

Kia flaunted its new fuel-cell technology in the form of the Kia Borrego at the 2008 LA Auto Show. Innovations include a higher-output 154-hp fuel-cell and a new 450-volts Supercapacitor which provides an additional 135-hp. 0 to 60 mph comes in at 12.8 seconds with a top speed of 100 mph.

Production plans? Dr. Hyun Soon Lee, president of research an development for Hyundai/Kia Group said that the new Kia Borrego FCEV highlights a new phase of the company’s fuel-cell program. “Now we will be able to build fuel cell electric vehicles in higher volumes and lower cost for fleet testing,” said Lee.

Click through for more high-res photos from the 2008 LA Auto Show.

Kia Borrego FCEV – Live from 2008 LA Auto Show:

Kia Borrego FCEV:

KIA MOTORS UNVEILS NEXT GENERATION FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Revolutionary Borrego FCEV Debuts at Los Angeles International Auto Show

• World premiere for new Borrego FCEV
• New technologies boost performance of fuel cell electric vehicle

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2008 – Kia Motors Corporation’s (KMC) Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) program takes a major technological step forward today with the global unveiling of the all-new Kia Borrego FCEV at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

 Numerous innovations including a higher output 154 horsepower fuel cell and a new 450-volts Supercapacitor give the Borrego FCEV higher performance, a greatly extended driving range and cold-weather starting capability to operate in sub-zero temperatures.

 Available with two and three tank systems with 70MPa pressure, the Borrego FCEV’s power plant is located under the center floor and boasts an additional 47 horsepower of power to produce a peak output of 154 horsepower (a 44-percent increase compared to the previous generation) and propel the vehicle to a top speed of 100 miles per hour (mph) while boasting a best-in-class system efficiency of 62 percent.  With a 202-liter hydrogen storage tank located underneath the vehicle and ahead of the rear wheels, this latest Kia Motors research vehicle has a range of about 426 miles.

 “Entering this new phase of our program is really exciting,” said Dr. Hyun Soon Lee, president of research and development for the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.  “Now we will be able to build fuel cell electric vehicles in higher volumes and lower cost for fleet testing and the latest Borrego FCEV drives us closer to making fuel cell vehicles available for consumers.”

 Demonstrating its ability to conduct engineering of both gasoline/diesel production models and fuel cell research vehicles simultaneously, Kia Motors will be able to significantly improve the efficiency and quality control of future fuel cell vehicle manufacturing processes.

 With the use of lightweight aluminum body shell components, the Borrego FCEV has a power-to-weight ratio that is similar to the new production model SUV.  The FCEV also retains the roomy cabin, low noise levels and overall driving refinement of its new gasoline/diesel-powered sibling.

Technical Specifications

Type:  Fuel Cell + Supercapacitor
Fuel Cell Output:  154 horsepower (115kW)
Additional Power Output:  134 horsepower Supercapacitor (100kW)
Traction Motor Output:  147 horsepower (110kW)
Dimensions:  192.1 x 75.4 x 71.3 inches
Curb Weight:  4,960 pounds (2,250kg)

Max. Speed:  100 mph
Zero to 60 mph Acceleration:  12.8 seconds
Max. Distance:  426 miles with three tanks
Fuel economy:  54 mpg (EPA combined F/E)

Nissan may end up breaking its own record for the fastest lap for a fuel-cell car around the Nurburgring. According to AutoCar, Nissan’s first production fuel-cell car may end up being a sports or luxury model. Speaking with Izuho Hirano, Nissan’s fuel-cell laboratory manager, Nissan is looking to make its fuel-cell model very exclusive with a price target around £50,000.

The high-price is also due to the technology cost and Nissan feels that it will help cover cost if it offers the car as a high-performance sports car or a Infiniti model – or even both.

Nothing is confirmed as of yet. Hirano says a decision to build a fuel-cell model will come early 2009 with a launch date of 2014 if the company goes-ahead with the model.

Nissan recently touted its 118-hp X-TRAIL FCV which has a driving range of 311 miles and Nurburgring lap-time record of 11:58.

Source: AutoCar