Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz launches B-Class F-Cell, leases to begin in early 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/report-mercedes-benz-launches-b-class-f-cell-leases-to-begin-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/report-mercedes-benz-launches-b-class-f-cell-leases-to-begin-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/28/report-mercedes-benz-launches-b-class-f-cell-leases-to-begin-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Mercedes-Benz F-Cell - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in April, Mercedes-Benz announced its plans to begin small-scale series production of a new hydrogen fuel cell-powered automobile called the F-Cell. According to the German automaker, the car is nearly ready to launch, with 200 vehicles slated to be leased throughout the United States and Europe early next year.

The front-wheel drive F-Cell is based on Mercedes-Benz' B-Class platform and uses a 100 kW electric motor that puts out an impressive 214 lb-ft of torque. M-B claims this powertrain will offer comparable performance to a 2.0-liter gas-powered automobile (the run to 60 will take under 11 seconds) while returning the equivalent of 86.6 mpg on the European combined cycle.

Sandwiched under the car's floor will be a 1.4 kWh lithium ion battery that recaptures energy normally lost to braking. We'd also figure that battery pack will provide an even flow of electrons to the motor while the fuel cell hums away silently. Range is quoted at around 250 miles and Mercedes claims a hydrogen recharge time of just three minutes. Expect more details on the car to emerge at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. Full press release after the break.


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz F-Cell

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz launches B-Class F-Cell, leases to begin in early 2010

Mercedes-Benz launches B-Class F-Cell, leases to begin in early 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f-cellhydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenCarHydrogenFuelCellmercedesmercedes benzmercedes benz f-cellmercedes f-cellmercedes-benzmercedes-benz b-class f-cellmercedes-benz f-cellMercedes-benzB-classF-cellMercedes-benzF-cellMercedesBenzMercedesBenzF-cellMercedesF-cellFri, 28 Aug 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese oil, gas companies to tackle hydrogen fueling infrastructure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/08/japanese-oil-gas-companies-to-tackle-hydrogen-fueling-infrastru/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/08/japanese-oil-gas-companies-to-tackle-hydrogen-fueling-infrastru/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/08/japanese-oil-gas-companies-to-tackle-hydrogen-fueling-infrastru/#commentsFiled under: ,


Toyota Highlander FCV - Click above for a high-res image gallery

A consortium of 13 Japanese oil and gas companies are collaborating in an effort to commercialize technologies enabling convenient refueling of hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2015. Coincidentally (or not), that date goes hand-in-hand with Toyota's target for selling hydrogen vehicles on the retail level.

According to the Nikkei in Japan (via Trading Markets), unnamed automakers are considering joining the group, which expects to start field-testing dozens of hydrogen refueling stations across Japan in short order. It's hoped that the oil companies can generate the hydrogen and the gas companies can use their existing pipelines and stations to transport it at a cost comparable to gasoline.

Considering that the great promise of hydrogen is its lack of tailpipe emissions, we can only hope the oil and gas companies find a way to generate the energy carrier in an environmentally friendly manner, even if it's not necessarily the most profitable solution. Sound likely?


Gallery: LA 2007: Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell



[Source: Trading Markets via Fuel Cell Today]

Japanese oil, gas companies to tackle hydrogen fueling infrastructure originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Borrego FCEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Let's face it: Hydrogen technology still has a ways to go before there's any real chance that we'll all be driving fuel cell cars in lieu of electric or fossil fuel-burning machines. Chief among the issues confronting the widespread adoption of hydrogen for automotive use is manufacturing cost, though that obstacle is currently being worked on. According to Byung Ki-Ahn, general manager of Kia's Mabuk-ri site, "Even if we were producing 50,000 fuel cell cars a year, they would currently have to cost $50,000 each."

While it would be easy for hydrogen proponents to latch on to this statement as good news - and, if true, that pricing is considerably better than we would have predicted - there's more to overcome than just the pricey fuel cell stack. For instance, even if Kia were indeed building 50,000 fuel cell cars per year, there would need to be an adequate infrastructure to support those vehicles. Further, a low cost and eco-friendly process for capturing, storing and transporting large amounts of hydrogen still needs to be developed.

Regardless, it's clear that Kia, along with corporate cousin Hyundai, believe these issues will be worked out in time. When asked where the Korean automaker currently sits on a production-ready hydrogen vehicle, Ki-Ahn said, "On a scale of one to 10, I'd say we we're at six or seven. Before 2020, many people will be hearing about fuel cell vehicles made by Hyundai-Kia."


Gallery: Kia Borrego FCEV


[Source: Galway Independent via Hydrogen Discoveries]

Kia bigwig reportedly says mass-produced fuel cell cars would cost $50,000 if made today originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Highlander FCV - Click above for high-res image gallery

In 2007, Toyota drove one of its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles from Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. Earlier that same year, a Toyota FCHV drove from Tokyo to Osaka on one tank. The company is certainly in favor of at least researching the technology, and it has repeatedly said that it will start series production of a fuel cell vehicle in the middle of the next decade. At one point, Toyota hinted that 2014 might mark the big year, but that's looking unlikely now.

During a recent shareholders' meeting in Japan, Toyota VP Masatami Takimoto said that Toyota now plans to start production of this new car in 2015. That's still quite soon, as no one expects the hydrogen infrastructure problem to be solved by then. Thanks to Greg B. for the tip!


Gallery: LA 2007: Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell


[Source: AFP]

Toyota reaffirms 2015 release of new hydrogen vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenCarHydrogenFuelCelltoyotatoyota hydrogenToyotaHydrogenTue, 23 Jun 2009 17:27:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Jesse James plans land-speed record for hydrogen-powered streamliner]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/04/report-jesse-james-plans-land-speed-record-for-hydrogen-powered/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/04/report-jesse-james-plans-land-speed-record-for-hydrogen-powered/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/04/report-jesse-james-plans-land-speed-record-for-hydrogen-powered/#commentsFiled under:



Famous motorcycle builder and all-around celebrity Jesse James plans to attempt a new world record top speed run for a hydrogen-powered vehicle later this month on a dry lake bed somewhere in California. The actual car being used is a former land speeder called the Dees-Milodon Engineering-Davis B Streamliner, which had previously attained speeds as high as 237 mph at Bonneville.

Replacing the car's old Chrysler powerplant will be a brand new 572 cubic inch Chevy crate motor that's been converted to run on gaseous hydrogen and is force fed by twin turbochargers that add 50 pounds of boost. The fuel will be stored in 10,000 psi tanks sourced from hydrogen specialists Quantum Technologies.

If you think piloting a ticking time bomb land speed record car from the 1960s that's carrying a ton of compressed hydrogen and has been beefed up with a fully modern and ridiculously potent powerplant is crazy, that's what Jesse's going for. The actual event will be recorded as part of the upcoming series, Jesse James is a Dead Man.

[Source: AutoWeek]

REPORT: Jesse James plans land-speed record for hydrogen-powered streamliner originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hydro hellhydro-hellhydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen land speed recordhydrogen streamlinerHydrogenCarHydrogenLandSpeedRecordHydrogenStreamlinerHydroHelljesse jamesjesse james hydrogenjesse james is a dead manJesseJamesJesseJamesHydrogenJesseJamesIsADeadManland speed recordLandSpeedRecordThu, 04 Jun 2009 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Malcolm Bricklin has hydrogen visions for displaced Chrysler and GM dealerships]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/28/malcolm-bricklin-has-hydrogen-visions-for-displaced-chrysler-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/28/malcolm-bricklin-has-hydrogen-visions-for-displaced-chrysler-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/28/malcolm-bricklin-has-hydrogen-visions-for-displaced-chrysler-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Add serial entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin to the list of people interested in getting a crack at the 2,000 or so automotive dealerships that are scheduled to be shut down by either General Motors or Chrysler in short order. Unlike most other interested parties, though, Bricklin's plan would also include his Visionary Vehicles venture purchasing up to 300,000 new vehicles from the two beleaguered automakers, which would then be upgraded with luxurious interiors and *ahem* a hydrogen hybrid drivetrain. Presumably, they wouldn't be gullwinged 'safety' cars like his short-lived SV-1 1970's wedge (above).

We're not completely sure what Bricklin's proposed hydrogen hybrid powertrain would entail, but he tellingly says that everybody else says it's a scam. Yep, you guessed it: an onboard electrlyser would supposedly extract hydrogen from water. According to Bricklin, "I know I have a product that I can put on cars that will make them get 100 percent better mileage." We'll see how it all works out in about 90 days, which is when Bricklin says his first prototype will be ready.

"I really believe this is why I was put on this Earth," he said in a recent interview. "All those mistakes, and all those lessons, and all those experiences have led me to know exactly how to take advantage of this technology." We'll see.

[Source: Boston Herald]

Malcolm Bricklin has hydrogen visions for displaced Chrysler and GM dealerships originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen carsHydrogenCarHydrogenCarsmalcolm bricklinmalcolm bricklin visionary vehiclesMalcolmBricklinMalcolmBricklinVisionaryVehiclesvisionary vehiclesVisionaryVehicleswater 4 gaswater hydrogenWater4GasWaterHydrogenThu, 28 May 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wagoner to Obama: Automakers need research money from feds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/wagoner-to-obama-automakers-need-research-money-from-feds/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/wagoner-to-obama-automakers-need-research-money-from-feds/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/26/wagoner-to-obama-automakers-need-research-money-from-feds/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

After being asked what the next President of the United States could do to help Detroit's automakers, Rick Wagoner, head honcho at General Motors, responded that his company could use an injection of cash for research and development into new, potentially green technology. Also mentioned were additional incentives for consumers to purchase those vehicles once the automakers actually produce them. Neither of these suggestions should be shocking to anybody paying attention to the Detroit 3's recent financial woes. Much of the admittedly meager R&D budget is already being spent on new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and electric drive systems, including the extremely important lithium ion battery.

Federal aid in the form consumer incentives would allow automakers to offer eco-friendly vehicles at potentially profitable prices while still being in the target range of many consumers. In the past, tax credits for hybrid vehicles have helped move that technology along when it was in its infancy. This latest meeting hosted by presidential hopeful Barrack Obama once again indicates how important the emerging green-auto sector and health of the Detroit auto industry in general will be in the coming election.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Wagoner to Obama: Automakers need research money from feds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barrack obamaBarrackObamaelectric carelectric carsElectricCarElectricCarsgmhybridhydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen carsHydrogenCarHydrogenCarsobamarick wagonerRickWagonerThu, 26 Jun 2008 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Fuel of the future: Hydrogen at the corner gas mart]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/fuel-of-the-future-hydrogen-at-the-corner-gas-mart/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/fuel-of-the-future-hydrogen-at-the-corner-gas-mart/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/fuel-of-the-future-hydrogen-at-the-corner-gas-mart/#commentsFiled under: ,

From an emissions standpoint, hydrogen is one of the cleanest fuels available. Unfortunately, our most abundant source is water, and with current technology, breaking those two H atoms away from that one O atom (electrolysis) uses more energy that it creates.

But water isn't the only hydrogen source. A Virginia company, H2Gen, makes a hydrogen-extraction device that basically (very basically) sucks the hydrogen right out of nature (see the graph for a somewhat more detailed explanation). An Orlando Chevron station has acquired one of their units and is currently testing the viability of using it for producing hydrogen right at the point of purchase. If the test works out, one more stumbling block, transportation of hydrogen, would be removed.

H2Gen claims the process is as much as six times more efficient than conventional electrolysis.

Now let's hope automakers' hydrogen programs, like BMW's test of its Hydrogen 7, work out. Then stand back and watch gasoline-powered cars go the way of the dinosaurs.

More details can be found in the press release after the jump.

[Source: H2Daily via EvWorld]

Continue reading Fuel of the future: Hydrogen at the corner gas mart

Fuel of the future: Hydrogen at the corner gas mart originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>h2genhydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen fueled carhydrogen fuelinghydrogen fueling stationhydrogen transportationhydrogen vehicleHydrogenCarHydrogenFueledCarHydrogenFuelingHydrogenFuelingStationHydrogenTransportationHydrogenVehicleMon, 30 Apr 2007 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[L.A. auto show debut for Honda's next fuel-cell car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/28/l-a-auto-show-debut-for-hondas-next-fuel-cell-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/28/l-a-auto-show-debut-for-hondas-next-fuel-cell-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/28/l-a-auto-show-debut-for-hondas-next-fuel-cell-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



This year's Los Angeles auto show will see the debut of Honda's third-generation fuel-cell powertrain, ensconced in its FCX cab-forward concept car (pictured), which debuted at last year's Tokyo Motor Show.

The FCX five-passenger sedan, not to be confused with the small FCX fuel-cell hatchback currently being road-tested in California and other states, will go into production "within three years" according to Honda. A system that Honda dubs the "vertical gas flow" fuel cell stack delivers more power in less space, and is compact enough to fit into the sedan's center tunnel.

Real-world testing of the FCX hatchback, coupled with the company's efforts to simplify infrastructure technology for hydrogen refueling (including its Home Energy Station), has probably put Honda well in the lead in the race to roll out the world's first production hydrogen-fueled car.

[Sources: Inside Line, Honda]

L.A. auto show debut for Honda's next fuel-cell car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Aug 2006 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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