Hybrid News

Proof that BMW is a green automaker?

I’ve now read a number of articles that discuss how green the LA Auto Show is, and how committed automakers are to green technology. Please. What show were these journalists attending?

The Honda Insight hybrid, the Ford Fusion hybrid, the Mini E, the Toyota Camry Natural Gas hybrid and some fuel cell cars demonstrate how much more committed the auto industry is to green technology? Wow! You have to be drinking some pretty good kool-aide to buy that green message.

Certainly, the Honda Insight is a legitimate effort. But, 25,000 Fusion hybrids per year? Whatever. A few hundred two-seat electric Mini E’s? That’ll make a difference. A Toyota Camry Natural Gas Hybrid? There are no plans to sell it. Fuel cell cars? Awesome! There’s a monkey ready to fly out of my ass with plans for the hydrogen highway.

Automakers aren’t green and they won’t be green any time soon. By 2020, US automakers testified before Congress that 35 mpg fleet fuel economy by 2020 was already pushing the limits of possibility. That won’t come close to ending foreign oil dependency, nor will it reduce CO2 emissions nearly enough.

Outside of some minor, niche automakers, there is no such thing as a green automaker. Not even close.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Filed under: Hydrogen, Kia

Kia is reportedly considering the use of ultra-capacitors to store electrical energy in the next generation version of its fuel cell vehicle. Ultra caps have an advantage over batteries in that they can absorb and release energy much more quickly. Unfortunately, they don’t have as much capacity and are currently much more expensive. There is a lot of work being done on capacitors and EEStor has made claims of tremendous progress. So far, though, EEStor has not publicly demonstrated any prototypes of its capacitors. In its current form, the Sportage FCEV has a range of 235 miles. Interestingly Honda has gone the opposite direction for its fuel cell vehicles. The previous-generation Honda FCX used ultra-caps but those have been replaced by a lithium ion battery in the FCX Clarity.

[Source: The Telegraph]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Hydrogen, Toyota

Toyota has started offering its fuel cell powered Highlander for lease by government agencies and energy related companies. The latest version, known as the FCHV-adv, uses an updated version of Toyota’s in-house developed fuel cell stack which offers an extended range of over 470 miles on the latest JC08 test cycle. In 2007, Toyota engineers drove an FCHV 347 miles from Osaka to Tokyo on a single tank of hydrogen and then later drove one 2,300 miles from Fairbanks, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. The FCHV-adv uses a 10,000 psi compressed hydrogen storage system and a nickel metal hydride battery pack to recapture kinetic energy during regenerative braking. Fleets that want to try out the fuel cell Toyota will be paying a hefty price. The FCHV-adv will cost $7,700 per month for a 30 month lease. The Toyota press release is after the jump.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota to start leasing fuel cell vehicle in Japan

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

Filed under: Hydrogen, Nissan

Until fairly recently, Nissan has been mostly quiet about its fuel cell development program. The Japanese brand recently became the first to run a fuel cell vehicle around the Nurburgring in Germany when its X-Trail FCV took to the circuit more typically populated by GT-Rs, Corvettes and Porsches. Now it looks like Nissan might follow the lead of Tesla with its first production fuel cell vehicle. Izuho Hirano, Nissan’s fuel cell laboratory manager has told AutoCar that a sports car or luxury car would likely be the best place to introduce the technology. Using the same rationale as Tesla and Honda with the FCX Clarity, expensive new technology like lithium batteries and fuel cells would be accepted better in a more expensive car because other premium features could be packaged with it. A fuel cell car must have something to justify the price besides the powertrain. Nissan will make a decision in early 2009 about whether to proceed with a production fuel cell car for launch in 2014.

[Source: AutoCar]

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Original post by Sam Abuelsamid

We’ve come a long way in the last 10 years

Hybrid revolution. Some don’t believe in such a thing. They believe that hybrid vehicles are a gimmick. That other technologies, such as EVs or fuel cell vehicles, are the real solution. Forget that Toyota is developing its fuel cell vehicles and hybrids around the Hybrid Synergy Drive - that Toyota’s fuel cell vehicles will be fuel cell hybrid vehicles. Or, forget that many consumers might forever prefer a plug-in hybrid vehicle over an electric vehicle for any number of reasons.

Furthermore, I′d bet that within just 10 years most automobiles sold in the US will at least be mild hybrid vehicles.

Thus, the reality of the hybrid future isn′t a question in my mind. It’s a fact. The question I have is, can US automakers survive the hybrid revolution? The US automaker with the most aggressive - at least publicly - hybrid plans, GM, is bleeding billions by the quarter. Can GM afford to go hell bent for leather at fuel economy? Likewise, can GM and other US automakers afford not to?

Will the Big 3 still be here in 10 years, or will it be more like the Big 2? The Big 1?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Better than hydrogen?

Fuel cell stacks are shrinking. Lithium-ion batteries are getting lighter and more powerful. This combination alone means the need for hydrogen to power fuel cell vehicles is shrinking. Of course, where are the hydrogen pumps?

Already, automakers, such as Ford, are exploring hydrogen infrastructure gaps with plug-in hybrid functionality by developing plug-in fuel cell hybrid prototypes. This enables such a vehicle to use both hydrogen and electricity for power. Yet, what if hydrogen could be replaced with a fuel like methanol that not only can utilize a fuel cell, but also work within the current refueling infrastructure of America?

While many, including this writer, have consistently questioned biofuels, particularly ethanol, methanol seems to have some distinct advantages over other biofuesl. Off the bat a fuel cell could double the efficiency of methanol. Add hybrid technology and add another 30 percent in efficiency is achieved. Add plug-in functionality and little methanol would ever be needed, except for long trips, day-time refueling or other periods of high electricity costs.

Automakers are going to pursue biofuels, fuel cells, hybrid vehicles and EVs regardless of whom becomes the next President. Shouldn’t the synergies of these technologies also be pursued?

Original post by Dahcredyns

The new standard in fuel cell vehicles?

A year ago or so I thought that GM was the leader in fuel cell technology. However, in the last year, Honda has really kicked it up a notch with the latest iteration of the Honda Clarity. Yet, on FastMoney last night, Pete Najarian claimed that, just as with hybrid cars, Toyota would surpass Honda and everyone else with its fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

Recently, Honda has pinned its technological future to cheap hybrids and fuel cell vehicles, completely dismissing plug-in hybrids and EVs, at least for now. Has Honda lost its technological edge in some way?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Twice as much range as this FCHV

Toyota’s latest fuel cell hybrid vehicle is now achieving a range of 516 miles compared to a previous range of 205 miles according to the AP. Additionally, the new fuel cell hybrid is able to start and run in weather as cold as -22 degrees, an important benchmark for fuel cell vehicles, which haven’t run well in cold weather in the past. Toyota will begin leasing the new fuel cell vehicle in Japan later this year.

Original post by Dahcredyns

Honda’s sad solar-powered fuel cell fantasy?

I’m a big fan of hybrid vehicles. Not long ago, however, I wasn’t much of a fan of mild hybrids. Recently, the Chevy Malibu hybrid eased my case of mild hybrid angst, especially when coupled with GM’s plans to soon make these BAS hybrids lithium-powered.

Now, it seems only fuel cell hybrid vehicles receive less respect than mild hybrids. Even GM’s own, Bob Lutz, has announced his preference for plug-in electric vehicles over fuel cell vehicles, despite the billions GM has invested in fuel cell technology. On the other hand, Honda, the world’s most efficient automaker, is aggressively and confidently moving ahead with fuel cell hybrids.

Obviously, there are huge technological obstacles to cost-effective fuel cell hybrid vehicles, but at one time the technical obstacles of reaching the moon seemed even more insurmountable. And, like the moon missions, striving towards fuel cell technologies has resulted in many technological insights, revelations and developments that have advanced electric drive trains and lithium batteries.

Big dreams breed innovation. Aren’t fuel cell hybrids a big dream worthy of investment if not just to push the technological envelope?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Honda’s plan to bypass the hydrogen highway?

There are now 2,200 homes in Japan that use fuel cells to convert natural gas into electricity and hot water. By 2020, Japan hopes to have one quarter of its homes powered by fuel cells (MSBNC). Who cares? Companies like Honda are planning to develop the fuel cell vehicle, such as the Honda Clarity, on the backs of similar home fuel cells.

Here in the US, decades of fuel cell promises have created fuel cell-haters, yet Japanese automakers are moving forward with fuel cell cars as if there is NO question fuel cells are the future, and home fueling stations appear to be a key to that future?

US automakers are already chasing Japan’s hybrid cars. Are we going to chase their fuel cells, especially their home fuel cells as well?

Original post by Dahcredyns

Cheap, common fuel cell vehicles by 2030

Reasonably priced fuel cell vehicles should be available by 2015 and become cheap and common around 2030 according Nabil Kassem, professor at Stockholm’s Royal Institute of Technology (KTH).

According to AutoBlogGreen, “Prof. Kassem stated that fuel cells are the most promising technology for our energy future, a future some call the Hydrogen Society. He not only envisions hydrogen in cars, but believes that fuel cells will have applications in micro power plants, household appliances, and in heating and air conditioning units. On the issue of cost, Kassem said that the moment hydrogen starts being produced on a large scale, it will become cost competitive. How will we obtain it? Kassem referred to a Japanese project that wants to create “oceanic gardens” where solar energy would be used to create electricity and then hydrogen.”

Original post by Dahcredyns

The fuel cell killer?

The Motor Authority is reporting and backing up a report coming out of France that claims that hybrid vehicles are blocking fuel cell vehicles and other technologies. In addition, Motor Authority claims that clean diesel is much more fuel efficient than the Toyota Prius. Apparently, there are Prius-sized vehicles in France that achieve over 70 mpg in the worst stop-and-go traffic in Paris?

Likewise, it seems that America’s hydrogen highway could be filling up tens of millions of fuel cell vehicles, the Motor Authority believes, if not for hybrids like the Prius. Oh, that’s right, there is no hydrogen highway. And, let’s forget that much of the electronics powering Toyota’s fuel cell-killing Hybrid Synergy Drive also powers Toyota’s FCVs. Isn’t that odd?

Original post by Dahcredyns

The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle next to the Home Fueling Station

When it comes to hybrid cars, currently, there are just two players: Toyota and Honda. Yesterday, I covered my irrational disappointment with Toyota (more). Today, I′m going to cover my disappointment with Honda.

Unlike Toyota, Honda has nothing to lose and everything to gain when it comes to hybrids, and Honda plans to soon challenge the Toyota Prius with a new hybrid. So, was this new hybrid at NAIAS? No. Instead Honda’s loud and clear message was about fuel cell vehicles. Read more….

Original post by Dahcredyns

Not bashing Detroit

After winning the Michigan primary Mitt Romney said he was going to save the US auto industry by “substantially increasing our investment in basic science and research, particularly in energy technology, fuel technology, automotive and material science technologies” (See the video).

Yet it seems the science and technology is largely available, it’s making it happen that’s key.

Hybrid cars, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, clean diesel, cellulosic ethanol, and lightweight materials are here today, it’s making these technologies cost effective that’s the problem. In order to do that economies of scale are probably the most critical factor. Unfortunately, Mr. Romney doesn’t seem to address this issue.

Of course tax subsides and incentives might work, but it seems a gas tax is the easiest path forward, yet not one candidate running for President will touch such an idea with a 1000 foot pole.

My prediction: It doesn’t matter one bit who becomes President, foreign oil dependency is tightening its grip around America’s neck and the grip is only going to get tighter, much tighter. Too many Americans and EVERY single candidate for President can’t handle the truth of artificially low gas pump prices and foreign oil dependency. So get ready to start choking.

Original post by Dahcredyns

A Honda fuel cell vehicle filling up at a solar-hydrogen station

Yesterday, President Takeo Fukui told Jiji Press that Honda was going to focus on fuel cell vehicles instead of electric vehicles because “Honda has no plan to develop automobiles that can be used only in limited areas.”

Citing overseas markets, short travel distance and recharging times Honda does not believe that short range electric vehicles provide an attractive solution worldwide.

Within 10 years Honda believes it could be mass-producing fuel cell vehicles, once an infrastructure for hydrogen fueling stations is resolved. To address that problem, Honda is focusing on home fueling stations that convert natural gas into hydrogen.

Recently, Honda showed off the second generation Honda Clarity FCX at the LA Auto Show, and the company plans to begin leasing a limited number of these fuel cell vehicles in 2008.

Original post by Dahcredyns