Mercedes fires first shot with alternative fuel cell car
By Alastair Doak
THE starting gun for the race to develop the first marketable, mass-production vehicle powered by a fuel cell has been fired, according to the chairman of Daimler-Benz.
That "gun" was a modified and methanol-fueled A-Class, revealed at last month's Frankfurt motor show.
It converts the methanol into hydrogen and then to electricity to produce an almost zero emission vehicle, but at the same time, solves the weight, safety and range problems usually associated with electrical or hydrogen-powered cars.
Dubbed NECAR 3 -- for new electric car -- it converts the methanol into hydrogen by water-vapor reformation, replacing previous systems which used bulky hydrogen tanks or heavy batteries to store electrical energy.
This cuts vehicle weight, reduces costs and improves fuel economy and performance. Methanol can be sold through standard petrol pumps.
Daimler-Benz claims the car's 40-liter tank has a range of 400km and is almost emission free.
"The aim of Daimler-Benz is to occupy the leading position in fuel-cell development and be the first manufacturer to bring a fuel cell-powered, series-production vehicle to market," Daimler- Benz chairman Jurgen Schrempp said at the Frankfurt motor show.
According Jurgen Hubbert, board member for Daimler-Benz AG, the fuel cell technology has the potential to trigger the next revolution in the automotive industry. p
"The A-Class-based NECAR 3 brings us that little bit closer towards the finishing line, although I don't envisage us finally crossing that line before the year 2005," he said.
"Our strategic objective is to be first to market. Together (with Ballard Power Systems), we are thus laying the foundations for the industrialization of fuel cell technology for use in vehicles."
The company has already invested US$500 million in developing the fuel cell technology.
The 470mm-long methanol reformer and control system are housed in the back of the car.
Hydrogen production occurs at a temperature of 280 degrees centigrade at which point methanol and water react to develop hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
These gases then pass through a catalytic converter which eliminates the carbon monoxide. It then flows past a plastic foil coated in a platinum catalyst and electrode.
Oxygen is then introduced at the negative pole which causes the hydrogen to break down into positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons.
As the foil is only permeable to protons, an electrical voltage, which drives the car's motor, builds up across the fuel cell.
When the driver presses the accelerator, 90 percent of the system's power is available in just two seconds.
The company claims the performance of NECAR 3 is similar to that of petrol or diesel-powered vehicles.
It claims no nitrogen oxides (a byproduct of petrol engines) or soot particles (produced by diesels) are created during the conversion of methanol to hydrogen or in subsequent generation of electrical energy.
Carbon dioxide emissions are substantially below those of a diesel car.