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January 09, 2006
Honda to introduce production version of fuel cell car within 4 years
Honda Motor Co of Japan announced that it will begin production of its next-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV) based on the FCX Concept car that was introduced recently within l4 years.
Fuel Cell vehicle utilize electrochemical engine (no moving parts) that converts the chemical energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, directly to electricity. The principal components of a fuel cell are catalytically activated electrodes for the fuel (anode) and the oxidant (cathode) and an electrolyte to conduct ions between the two electrodes.
The new FCX Concept uses a new, compact 3V System fuel cell platform that enables the lowest-floor platform in a fuel cell vehicle yet. Oxygen and hydrogen flow from the top to the bottom of the fuel cell stack (Vertical gas flow) and the fuel cells are arranged vertically in the center tunnel (Vertebral layout) for new, high-efficiency fuel cell packaging (Volume efficiency).
The new fuel cell stack delivers 100 kW of power, compared to the 86 kw of the 2006 FCX. The key to the fuel cell’s performance is water management; Honda’s new system takes full advantage of gravity to efficiently discharge water formed during electricity generation.
Three energy-efficient motors-one 80kW in the front and a 25kW space-efficient motor in each rear wheel moves the car.
Posted by admin at January 9, 2006 07:28 PM