Fuel Cells: News...News...News...News...
 

Chrysler (DaimlerChrysler)
The company plans to have a working methanol hybrid fuel cell system in the Commander vehicle by the end of 1999. (1/99)

General Motors
GM has displayed a fuel cell powered version of the Zafira compact van. The vehicle is powered by a 50kW PEM fuel cell stack and utilises methanol fuel. (10/98)
Officials say GM intends to have a "production ready" fuel cell vehicle by 2004.

Ford Motor Corporation
Ford has unveiled a fuel cell powered sedan, the P2000 Prodigy, running on stored hydrogen. It is designed to achieve the same performance as Ford's Taurus, with a fuel cell engine that achieves the equivalent of 90 horsepower (67kW). (1/99)
Ford is allied with Ballard and Daimler-Benz in three companies that will develop and market fuel cell engines and electric drive trains.

Ballard Power Systems
Ballard is the leading supplier of PEM fuel cells for transportation applications. The company has received orders from auto manufacturers around the world.
The cities of Chicago, Illinois, and Vancouver, B.C., are conducting field trials of a second generation of buses.

Europe

Daimler-Benz (DaimlerChrysler)
Diamler-Benz has been road testing a fuel cell van, NECAR, since 1993. Daimler has developed and operated three generations of fuel cell passenger vehicles, utilising a variety of fuels.
Daimler has committed US$725 million into its partnership with Ballard. The team expects to demonstrate a commercially viable fuel cell car by the end of 1999, and plans to produce 100,000 engines a year for 2004.

De Nora S.p.A.
Italian fuel cell researcher De Nora S.p.A. is working with PEM fuel cells for buses and marine applications.

Peugeot/Citroen
Peugeot/Citroen is involved in a European joint PEM fuel cell program designed to reduce fuel cell system weight and costs.

Renault
Renault has designed, built and tested a fuel cell powered Laguna Estate. Renault built its own fuel cell for the car. (1/99)
The FEVER ("Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle for Efficiency and Range") is powered by a PEM fuel cell system and runs on stored liquid hydrogen, with a nickel-metal hydride battery for energy buffer storage. Expected range is 500km (310mi).

Volkswagen/Volvo
In a joint project, Volvo and Volkswagen have announced plans for a methanol-fuelled PEM fuel cell hybrid "Golf"-type car to be on the road by 1999.

Zevco
ZEVCO's fuel cell powered taxis are being tested in-use on the streets of London. The cabs run on alkaline fuel cells, and cost about US$7,363 more than a conventional diesel cab.

Asia

Toyota
Toyota has unveiled methanol-fuelled and hydrogen-fuelled versions of its FCEV, based on its RAV4 sport utility vehicle. Both use Toyota's own PEM engines in hybrid configuration.

Mazda
Mazda unveiled a fuel cell concept car, based on its Demio compact, fuelled by hydrogen. (12/97)

Nissan
Nissan announced plans to begin selling fuel cell vehicles by 2003-2005. In its prototype car, the fuel cell runs on methanol and is aided by a lithium ion battery for extra power. (9/98)

Honda
Honda's president has announced company plans to develop a fuel cell vehicles by 2003. (6/98) Honda is working with Ballard fuel cells and related test equipment.

Task 4: Review the developments discussed here in light of the governments' agreement at Kyoto to reduce CO2 (Carbon dioxide emissions).