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Auto firms developing emissions-free fuel cells

Prototype of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hydrogen-powered vehicle. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER

The automobile industry is targeting the development of emissions-free fuel cells for vehicles amid the rise of environmental awareness, an official at DaimlerChrysler AG said yesterday.

A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process produces electricity.

"Sustainable mobility is a fundamental human need, and thus, pollution-free technology is a way toward a secure future in terms of energy supply," said Christian Klein, DaimlerChrysler's project coordinator in Asia for Fuel Cell & Alternative Powertrain Vehicles.

Klein made the remark yesterday as the US-German carmaker showcased a prototype of its fuel-cell Mercedes-Benz A-Class in Taipei. A fleet of fuel-cell-powered vehicles is currently undergoing road tests in various countries.

To cut oil dependence and pollution, both Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co are producing gas-electric hybrid vehicles, while Hyundai Motor Co and the US' "Big Three" automakers, as well as some energy companies are developing hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles before mass-producing the vehicles within the next 15 years.

Klein said DaimlerChrysler has put over 100 fuel-cell vehicles, including the A-Class and bus models, to road tests throughout Europe, Australia and Japan in recent years.

The company plans to invest in 1 billion euros (US$1.29 billion) to mass-produce next-generation fuel-cell cars, which Jess Liu (劉秀盈), public relations director at DaimlerChrysler Taiwan Ltd, said may be on the market by 2012.

The fuel-cell tanks of A-Class models supply 350 pounds of compressed hydrogen directly to the fuel cell system, giving the car a range of about 150km. Hydrogen consumption is equivalent to 4.2 liters of diesel fuel per 100km. Its top speed is around 140kph.

Though working prototypes show spectacular advances in fuel-cell engines, the industry is facing a much higher production cost than what is now used in today's gas or diesel-powered engine.

In addition, automakers are also encountering infrastructure problems such as the storage and distribution of hydrogen, as well as the establishment of vehicle maintenance workshops, Klein said.

“[The technology] still has a long way to go,” he added.
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