Autoblog

Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance

Zach Bowman — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Government/Legal, Technology, Electric

According to the 2012 U.S. Automotive Industry Survey and Confidence Index by Booz & Co., alternative vehicle powertrains may take up as much as 10 percent of the total market by 2020, but only if the federal government continues to support development.

Without a helping hand from Uncle Sam, only 30 percent of the researchers, executives and consumers who participated in the survey believe alternative-fuel machines will be able to carve out that small slice of the market. Specifically, federal tax incentives for potential buyers could help push the technology forward in the future.

According to Wards Auto, further development faces a double hurdle. First, additional urban planning is required to demonstrate plug-in hybrids and EVs will be viable options for buyers, but at the same time, government agencies also need to see fuel cell and battery costs come down before being willing to pony up for chargers or incentives.

Even so, 70 percent of those surveyed said they were more confident about future hybrid demand than they were in 2011. Take a look at the full survey results here.

Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz attempts to make an invisible car

Zach Bowman — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:39:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Videos, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Electric

Automakers are engaged in a constant struggle to get their products noticed. From clever advertising to sneaky movie deals and wild stunts, putting a vehicle in front of the public is the first step toward wrangling better sales figures. Mercedes-Benz recently took a different approach for the upcoming hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the F-Cell. While the company rolled out a special version of the car in front of the public, it did its best to hide the hatchback behind a veil of special LED matting. The LEDs were paired to a Canon 5D Mark II on the other side of the car, which supplied video.

As a result, the LEDs project an image of what's on the other side of the vehicle, making the F-Cell effectively invisible. Why hide a new car behind a curtain of techno wizardry? Mercedes-Benz wants to underscore the fact that the F-Cell is a zero-emission vehicle, making it practically invisible in terms of pollution. We see what you did there, Mercedes-Benz. Check out the video for yourself below.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz attempts to make an invisible car

Mercedes-Benz attempts to make an invisible car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Global auto execs don't see electric cars making big inroads for at least a decade

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Electric

A new survey by audit powerhouse KPMG suggests auto executives don't see electrified car sales passing 15 percent of global sales until at least 2025. Yet despite the slowly developing market, these same execs foresee substantial increased investment in electric and hybrid car production along with research and development. Given very limited consumer acceptance of hybrid cars since their U.S. introduction back in late 1999 (gas-electric new car sales are still around two percent), cautious sales estimates seem like par for the course.

Among the many highlights of the survey that polled 200 executives is word that 83 percent expect an increase in electric motor production, 81 percent think automakers will increase investment in battery technology, 76 percent see more power electronics investment, and 65 percent see increased investment in fuel cells. The survey results didn't show any conclusive winner as to which sort of alternative fuel technology might win out, with 20 percent choosing fuel cell vehicles, 16 percent picking battery-powered electrics, 22 percent choosing hybrids, 21 percent weighing in on plug-in hybrids, and 18 percent opting for battery-powered electrics with range extenders.

Perhaps the most interesting nugget we see is that 61 percent of the executives surveyed agreed that "the optimization (so-called downsizing) of internal combustion engines (ICE) still offers greater efficiency and CO2 reduction potential than any electric vehicle technology based on the current energy mix."

Click past the jump to read the full press release results.

Continue reading Global auto execs don't see electric cars making big inroads for at least a decade

Global auto execs don't see electric cars making big inroads for at least a decade originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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California lawmakers push for 1.4M zero-emissions vehicles on the road

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Electric

TheDetroitBureau.com reports that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is out to change the zero-emissions-vehicle (ZEV) game again, this time revising its desired numbers for vehicle sales and prodding industry to make alternative fuels more available. From 2018 to 2025, CARB wants ZEVs to number 1.4 million sales every year. According to its numbers, by 2025, that would result in a decrease of 52 million metric tons of emissions.

But what good is a car that runs on hydrogen without convenient places to refuel? The Cleans Fuels Outlet part of its plan "would require oil companies to install hydrogen refueling stations." That part of the plan sounds like it will be rather expensive for someone, but according to CARB, somehow it won't be the consumer: CARB says residents will save $22 billion on fuel costs, 21,000 jobs will be created because of the move to different fuels, and a car buyer in 2025 would save $4,000 over the life of the car even with the extra cost of the tech.

What's more, in 2017, CARB - in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency - has released an emissions-level limit of 166 g/km for cars sold in the state. That would represent another 34 percent drop from the emissions levels targeted in 2016.

California lawmakers push for 1.4M zero-emissions vehicles on the road originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors, BMW to shack up on fuel cell development

Zach Bowman — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, BMW, GM

Reuters reports that General Motors and BMW are headed toward a partnership that may see the two automakers join forces on the creation of a fuel cell system. German business magazine Wirtschafts Woche has cited unnamed industry sources as saying talks between the companies are already quite advanced, and that the duo may formalize the agreement soon.

GM has already established itself as an industry authority on fuel cell vehicles, and BMW is likely hoping to leverage some of that knowledge into its own products. GM has refused to comment on the partnership, though BMW has said that the two companies are "speaking about various future technologies."

The German automaker seems to be on the equivalent of a green-tech land grab. Earlier this month, the company announced a similar partnership with Toyota designed to foster collaboration toward new green technology.

We aren't surprised to see automakers joining forces on green tech. Research and development can be costly, and it only makes sense to spread that financial burden out amongst as many collaborators as possible.

General Motors, BMW to shack up on fuel cell development originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota FCV-R Concept is otherworldly

Zach Bowman — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota

Toyota is out to prove that the fuel cell vehicle isn't as dead as we thought. Despite the fact that a hydrogen infrastructure is no closer to reality now than it was five years ago, the company unveiled its FCV-R Concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Engineers snugged the fuel cell unit beneath the passenger cell to preserve passenger and cargo capacity. The FCV-R Concept boasts space for four and their gear, and Toyota claims that the vehicle has a range of around 435 miles. That works for us. Currently, the FCV-R is only a concept, though it's interesting to see Toyota playing with hydrogen fuel cell technology once again.

Will the tech eventually make its way to the road? Here's hoping. Toyota has already made it clear the automaker wants to see the Prius range become its best-selling nameplate in the near future, and a fuel-cell version could be part of those plans. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Toyota FCV-R Concept is otherworldly

Toyota FCV-R Concept is otherworldly originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan fuel cell vehicle on track for 2015

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Nissan, Electric

With over 20,000 Leafs running around the planet, Nissan is looking to introduce yet another alt-powered vehicle to the world, and judging by its recent work with fuel cells, a hydrogen-powered vehicle could be here in about four years.

Today in Japan, Nissan showed off its next-generation fuel cell stack, the one that the automaker has claimed has the world's best power density for its size. Compared to the 2005 model (above, left), the new fuel cell (above, right) has 2.5-times more storage capacity while being both smaller and lighter than its predecessor. Weight is down from 265 pounds to just under 90 pounds and output is up to 2.5 kilowatts per liter.

This third-generation fuel cell stack makes uses of an improved Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), which combined with single-row lamination, has reduced the size by over half. More importantly, the amount of platinum bits inside has been decreased, which means this new cell is about one-sixth the cost of the last generation design. But - and there's always a "but" when it comes fuel cells - the cost of production is around $50,000. However, that price is set to come down and one engineer confided in us that he'd like to half the size and components yet again, while providing 1.25-times more storage.

Considering Nissan's EV push with the Leaf, we could see the automaker's first fuel cell vehicle on the market in 2015. Earlier reports said Nissan wanted to launch its fuel cell car at a cost of less than ten million yen ($128,000 U.S. at today's exchange rate). In its recent "mid-term environmental plan," Nissan said it plans to sell 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles by 2016 (some coming from Alliance partner Renault). That number includes all-electric vehicles as well as an "all-new fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) together with strategic partner, Daimler," Nissan said in a press release last month. Now about that infrastructure...

Nissan fuel cell vehicle on track for 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daihatsu bringing electric, fuel cell and efficient gas car to Tokyo Motor Show

Sebastian Blanco — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:02:00 EST

The quirkiness - i.e., stuff like this - continues. As a preview for the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, Daihatsu has released images of the D-X, something called the Pico (above) and the FC Sho Case. As is totally expected, these concepts are heavy on the green, light on the possibility that they will eventually make it to production.

Still, let's humor Daihatsu and imagine that we may be able to one day buy these vehicles. What would that be like? Well, in the case of the door-less and window-less tandem two-seat Pico, it's a compact, clean little half car. The Pico is supposed to represent, "a new category of vehicle positioned between light automobiles and motorized bicycles," Daihatsu says. Target audience? "The aging population, regional locations and delivery businesses."

The D-X (pronounced "d cross") is a sporty little two-seater powered by a conventional engine, but a frugal direct-injection two-cylinder one. More interesting is the FC ShoCase, which is powered by "liquid fuel cells that contain no precious metals" that would be cheaper to produce than traditional fuel cells that rely on platinum and other expensive materials. If the van were ever to be manufactured, that is. Which it won't. The FC ShoCase is still cool, though, even if it doesn't have any seats as far as we can tell.

Continue reading Daihatsu bringing electric, fuel cell and efficient gas car to Tokyo Motor Show

Daihatsu bringing electric, fuel cell and efficient gas car to Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz S-Class EV in the cards?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Government/Legal, Mercedes-Benz, Electric, Luxury

Increasingly stricter environmental dictates are making the rich man's camel pass though the eyes of smaller and smaller needles to get to regulatory heaven. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is going to have to shrink somewhere in order to make it into the future, and it seems the company plan for that is to make an electric version, possibly even with lithium-sulfur batteries powering plug-in fuel-cell technology from the F-125! concept showed off at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

The hitch in this case is that if we ever see such a car, Daimler's R&D chief believes 2020 or 2025 would be the window for its appearance. The technologies aren't concept-only, or as out-there as using thorium for power, but scaling up to passenger car sizes and standards might be a decade or more out. The return: an S-Class with an emissions-free range of 621-miles.

That might sound like overkill, but as of now only one S-Class undercuts the European average for vehicular CO2 emissions. With the noose tightening in 2015 and even tighter strictures in 2020 and 2025, Mercedes (and plenty of other automakers) will need to position itself for 2025 and beyond.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class EV in the cards? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes F-125! previews a plug-in hydrogen future [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Electric

Mercedes-Benz has been tooting its horns all year about having been in business for 125 years, and to its eternal credit, it's done so at the top. For the Daimler boys, the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show is being used to showcase what the next 125 years in business (knock on burl walnut) might bring, and it starts in part with the hydrogen-powered F-125! Concept seen here.

With a brief to build a large, luxurious four-seater with zero emissions, the F-125! conceptually employs lithium-sulphur batteries, a body comprised of several metals and composites, passenger controls via "touch, speech and hand gestures," semi-autonomous driving, three-dimensional and projector-beam displays and a range of 1,000 kilometers.

So no, we aren't likely to see the massive gullwing fuel cell-powered plug-in hybrid soon, but it's a novel way forward for a company that built its 125-year name on solid, swift conveyances that have tended to be a bit conservative, if timeless. Find out what this vision of the future looks like by watching a video of the F-125! concept's unveiling after the jump, where you'll also find an official press release.

Continue reading Mercedes F-125! previews a plug-in hydrogen future [w/video]

Mercedes F-125! previews a plug-in hydrogen future [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World Drive successfully completed

Zach Bowman — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Electric

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

Mercedes-Benz has just wrapped up its world tour with the company's F-Cell fuel-cell vehicle. The trio of hydrogen-powered futuristic hatches wandered the entire circumference of the globe and racked up around 18,641 miles each in the process. The whole shebang wrapped up in front of the Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Stuttgart - the exact location where the vehicles began their journey back in January.

The German automaker hopes that the drive will prove that fuel-cell vehicles are a viable alternative to traditional EVs and internal combustion vehicles and that lawmakers and businesses will respond by ramping up the infrastructure necessary to easily operate a fuel-cell auto.

The trip took 70 days and in many instances, the B-Class F-Cell vehicles had to rely on a mobile filling station for their hydrogen needs. Mercedes-Benz says that when fueling stations were available, it took as little as a few minutes to top off the onboard tanks. Hit the jump to check out the full press release, and if you're looking for some insight into what it's like to live with the fuel-cell car, check out our piece on the F-Cell.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World Drive successfully completed

Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World Drive successfully completed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We catch up with the Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World Drive in the States

Michael Harley — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Electric

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

The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World drive recently rolled into Hollywood, California, a full 5,651 miles from where we last parted ways with the round-the-world hydrogen-promoting caravan. After we left the driver's seat in Paris, the group finished up their Western Europe route in Portugal. The three hydrogen-powered vehicles (and their support contingent) were then airlifted from Lisbon to Miami aboard a 747 cargo jet. Wheels firmly on U.S. soil, the convoy crossed the country with stops in New Orleans, San Antonio and Phoenix before arriving in Southern California. After a brief stay, they will head north to Vancouver before a second overseas flight to Sydney to start another cross-continent jaunt.

While checking out the car, still riding on snow tires even though temps were in the mid-70s, we were fortunate enough to meet Vance Van Petten, the Executive Director of the Producers Guild of America. He happens to be the owner of the first first F-Cell to be delivered to a customer in the United States (technically, the vehicle is acquired on a a special F-Cell lease program).

Van Petten was kind enough to give us some insight as to what it has been like living with a hydrogen vehicle for the past several months. Long story short, the F-Cell's three high-pressure hydrogen gas cylinders (holding about 8.2 pounds of fuel) are good for about 150 "real world" miles between fill-ups in the Los Angeles basin, says Van Petten. While that operation circle isn't bad (especially compared to the pure-EV offerings), consumers will likely demand at least 250 miles between fuel stops if the technology is to replace combustion engines. Van Petten says his F-Cell (thankfully painted silver, not fluorescent green like the World Drive models) has been fun to drive and perfectly reliable. It also gets more than its share of attention - he spends a lot of time explaining the difference between his F-Cell's fuel cell technology and hydrogen vehicles that consume liquid hydrogen via combustion (like the BMW Hydrogen 7).

Check our our high-res image gallery below... after all, with so few of these cars roaming the roads of the world, you're not likely to see one live and in the flesh on a roadway near you.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World Drive in the States

We catch up with the Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World Drive in the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler: Fuel cell vehicles to cost no more than diesel hybrids by 2015

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz, Electric

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

Toyota has declared on numerous occasions that it will launch a sedan-type fuel cell vehicle in 2015 at a price of $50,000 or less. Hitting that price point may prove difficult, but Daimler agrees that its doable. Herbert Kohler, head of e-drive and future mobility at Daimler, recently told Automotive News that the cost of fuel cell vehicles will decline at a rapid rate in the coming years. Kohler stated:

By 2015, we think a fuel cell car will not cost more than a four-cylinder diesel hybrid that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard. By 2013-2014, we want to bring a four-digit-number of fuel cell vehicles to market.

Kohler added that he expects fuel cell vehicles to be less expensive than comparable battery-powered cars within the next five years. Currently, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell is available for lease in the U.S. at a price of $849 a month (plus tax). However, Kohler points out that the F-Cell employs expensive technology that will be replaced with less pricey hardware when the second-generation model launches in 2013-2014.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz is toying with the notion of developing fuel cell versions of the A-, C- and E-Class models within the next five years. If the company can sucessfully incorporate its fuel cell technology into multiple platforms and reach mass production levels, costs could plunge by mid-decade.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz F-Cell

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Daimler: Fuel cell vehicles to cost no more than diesel hybrids by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota and Daimler planning "extensive cooperation" on fuel cell development

Eric Loveday — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota Highlander FCHV-adv and Mercedes-Benz F-Cell

Daimler began developing fuel-cell vehicles way back in 1994. To date, the company has spent $1.23 billion on the propulsion technology. Toyota entered into the hydrogen realm even earlier by kicking off development back in 1992. With decades of combined experience, both companies have become front runners in fuel-cell technology. Toyota and Honda became the first automakers to put commercial hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles on the roads back in 2002.

As you are likely aware, Toyota has teamed up with Tesla for development of electric vehicles at NUMMI. Now, a new report suggests that the company may join forces with Daimler (which also holds stake in Tesla) to develop affordable hydrogen-powered vehicles.

According to the Financial Times Deutschland (as reported in Reuters), Toyota and Daimler plan "extensive cooperation in the field of fuel cells for electric cars." The Financial Times also suggests that the collaborative work could take the form of a joint venture. The newspaper contacted both companies for official confirmation, but Toyota denied knowledge of any such deal and Daimler was not available for comment.

Last year, some of the major players in fuel cell technology agreed to work together to promote the adoption of the hydrogen-powered vehicle. Within that group, we saw names like Daimler, Toyota, General Motors, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai. With so many companies pledging to combine their might on fuel-cell vehicle development, we assumed that some sort of joint venture would emerge. Tim Urquhart, an analyst at IHS Global Insight suggests that a Toyota-Daimler joint venture could benefit both companies. As Urquhart said:

The high development costs associated with trying to bring fuel-cell powertrain technology to production means that it is a highly logical step for Daimler and Toyota to try and share the costs and their extensive knowledge in fuel-cell technology.

At this point, it may just be wishful thinking, but we'd love to see a joint venture between the two companies. It would surely help out the hydrogen vehicle programs of each respective company and a joint venture might even bring more jobs back to NUMMI.

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Toyota and Daimler planning "extensive cooperation" on fuel cell development originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 May 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style concept ladels on the tech and glitz

Chris Paukert — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style

Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style - Click above for high-res image gallery

While most automakers have scaled back their auto show vehicle press introductions due to budgetary cutbacks or newfound modesty, Mercedes-Benz hasn't forgotten the value of theater. As part of its press conference today showing off several models, the Three Pointed Star kept it flashy with dancers who tubed and bungied in from the ceiling, not to mention the lights blaring debut of the SLS AMG F1 safety car with Messrs. Rosberg and Schumacher inside. Peeling back the frosting, the real focus of Benz's show is this car, the F 800 Style concept.

Said to preview the next CLS, the F 800 Style is a plug-in hybrid with a 272-horsepower gasoline-fed V6 engine. Together with the electric motor, the combination is said to be good for over 400 horsepower and incorporate an electric-only range of 18 miles. Benz also says that the F 800 Style could incorporate a fuel cell powertrain.

The five-passenger sedan looks quite tidy in person, with a shorter tapered trunk than the current CLS, and indeed, the entire concept appears smaller than the aforementioned, with a bluffer face that is said to presage the new face of Mercedes. When viewed in profile, the front looks almost Maserati GranTurismo.

In addition, the F 800 also shows a future derivation of Benz's COMAND all-in-one interior control system that includes a touchpad console. Unlike the production touchpad application in the new Audi A8, the F800 also employs a camera that "...records video images of the user's hand as it works the pad. The live image of the hand is presented in transparent form on the central display above the center console." Uh-huh.

The F 800 also features an evolution of the company's Distronic Plus system that is optimized for use in traffic jams as well as a 360-degree implementation of its Pre-Safe system that monitors for rear impacts. If it senses an impending rearward crash, the system applies the brakes to prevent the car from being pushed forward into other vehicles or pedestrians, though the driver can take control of the vehicle and override the system by hitting the accelerator should that be the safer option.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style

Live Photos: Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style concept ladels on the tech and glitz

Geneva 2010: Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style concept ladels on the tech and glitz originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Design students create a fuel cell powered BMW bike

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, BMW, Motorcycle, Electric

BMW fuel cell motorcycle design concept - Click above for image gallery

Like many other automakers, BMW has expended plenty of research and development on hydrogen fuels. But unlike every other automaker, BMW has focused on liquid hydrogen with internal combustion engines. A group of design students at ISD of Valenciennes, France felt no such constraints in their latest project.

They've created a BMW badged motorcycle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell with a lithium polymer battery for electrical energy storage. Hydrogen is stored in a 20-liter cryogenic tank mounted where the engine would normally sit, with a suspension consisting of single-sided swing arms front and rear. Propulsion comes via a shaft drive system from the 100 kilowatt motor.

At this point, the bike doesn't physically exist, but it looks really cool in the video after the jump. A tip of the hat to Radhika!

Gallery: BMW fuel cell motorcycle design concept

[Source: Yanko Design]

Continue reading Video: Design students create a fuel cell powered BMW bike

Video: Design students create a fuel cell powered BMW bike originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Kia remains committed to fuel cells, shows more of Borrego FCEV

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST

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

Kia and its partners at Hyundai continue to move ahead on fuel cell technology, and Kia has released new footage of their latest fuel cell prototype, the Borrego/Mohave FCEV (the Borrego is badged as Mohave in the Korean market).

While the base Borrego is a rear/all-wheel drive body-on-frame SUV, the FCEV drives the front wheels through a 110 kW AC electric motor. The fuel cell stack is located under the passenger compartment and puts out 115 kW. Interestingly, Kia claims its stack is designed to work with air at ambient pressure, eliminating the need for a compressor, a major component of other FCEVs. Kia also claims its fuel cell can utilize 98 percent of all the hydrogen to produce power.

Electrical energy from regenerative braking is stored in a super-capacitor module and then released for an extra power boost when needed. Kia does not say what the capacity of the 700 BAR hydrogen storage system is, but the range of the vehicle is claimed to be 425 miles. Kia still plans to produce the FCEV in low volume series production in 2012, with mass production three years after that. Watch the video after the jump and check out our First Drive report of the last-gen Borrego FCEV.

Gallery: Kia Borrego FCEV

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading VIDEO: Kia remains committed to fuel cells, shows more of Borrego FCEV

VIDEO: Kia remains committed to fuel cells, shows more of Borrego FCEV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: Honda surprises with FC Sport fuel cell sports car concept

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:38:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Green, Honda

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Honda FX Sport fuel cell

The first real surprise at the LA Auto Show today came from Honda in the form of its FC Sport fuel cell design study. The designers at Honda's advanced design studio in Pasadena decided to take advantage of the packaging flexibility afforded by a fuel cell powertrain and mounted it mid-ship driving the rear wheels. Using the vertical flow fuel stack mounted behind the driver and an electric motor between the rear wheels, the FC Sport is a three-seater in the style of the McLaren F1 where the driver sits in the middle of the car with the two passenger seats on either side and further back. The FC Sport is strictly a styling study right now, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a fully functional version at some point. Check out Honda's official press release after the jump and our high-res image galleries below.

Gallery: Honda FC Sport Design Study

Gallery: LA 2008: Honda FC Sport live reveal

Continue reading LA 2008: Honda surprises with FC Sport fuel cell sports car concept

LA 2008: Honda surprises with FC Sport fuel cell sports car concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free-piston engines could be alternative energy alternative

Chris Tutor — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green

Long ago (last month for example) when fuel prices were high and looked likely to get even higher, it seemed everyone had an idea to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. While some aftermarket companies played with magnets, it looked like the major OEMs were looking at some form of electric propulsion. Toyota has taken a mostly hybrid route, while GM looks to be investing in plug-in, rechargeable vehicles and Honda likes hydrogen fuel cells. In the end, they're all different ways to create electricity.

But none of those methods are as efficient as an engine design invented in 1928. It's called a free-piston engine, and until now it's been less than ideal for transportation use but could prove to be 50% more efficient than fuel cells at generating electricity.

Basically the engine is two opposed pistons pushing each other back and forth. One past use of the design was as an air compressor where each piston was connected to a compressor cylinder.

But researchers at the Sandia National Laboratory have come up with a new use for this decades-old tech. They have attached magnets to the two opposing pistons that move back and forth past metal coils, thereby creating electricity. The researches claim the free-piston design can easily be modified to run on almost any liquid fuel including hydrogen, ethanol and diesel.

One major problem they'll need to tackle to make the design successful, though, is how very loud the engine operates. The engine also will require a computerized, active control system to keep the piston movement in check.

Trust us, it's explained much better and in much more detail here as well as in a PDF here.

[Source: Technology Review]

Free-piston engines could be alternative energy alternative originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: In 2020, all cars will be hybrids, Toyota think so too

Dan Roth — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:35:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Green, Toyota

In the future, we'll eat all our meals from toothpaste tubes, everyone will be beautiful and healthy, and we won't need cars, what with the proliferation of nuclear-powered jet packs. Prediction is such thorny business, though Toyota isn't making such a fantastical claim by suggesting that each of its vehicles will have a hybrid option available by 2020. Wired's blog seems to agree that by 2020, hybrids will have proliferated like rabbits, and we'll be awash in electron propulsion systems.

We still feel a little cheated that eight years into the 21st century, we still don't have all those things promised to us fifty years ago, but at least automakers are hard at work pushing alternative systems toward viability. Justin Ward, a manager at the Toyota Technical Center overseeing advanced powertrain programs, told a Management Briefing Seminar in Traverse city that work continues on fuel cells to overcome challenges like climate extremes and range. Battery technology, too, will continue to advance, making the current Hybrid Synergy Drive even more efficient. Toyota is still holding off on diesels, and plug-ins present some issues when you consider where that electricity is generated, so it's looking like Toyota will continue to develop its fuel cell technology for the long term and bolster its hybrid offerings in the near future.

[Source: Auto News - sub req. Photo: itd.idaho.gov]

Report: In 2020, all cars will be hybrids, Toyota think so too originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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