FUEL CELLS FOR AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS: OVERVIEW

Projections are made of fuel cell technology for vehicular use. The fuel used to provide hydrogen to a phosphoric acid fuel cell is assumed to be methanol. Experimental performance data for a golf cart is discussed. The design, economics, and predicted performance for a fuel cell retrofitted x-car with lead-acid batteries for peaking power, are described. The technical and economic feasibility of using fuel cells in city buses, vans and passenger cars are examined. It is concluded that the fuel cell/battery hybrid vehicle will have the advantages of high efficiency, i.e., 53% improvement in fuel economy, long fuel cell life, performance comparable to IC engine vehicles, low maintenance, petroleum fuel conservation, low pollution, and quiet operation. From a comparison of the lifetime costs of conventional vehicles versus fuel cell vehicles, it is concluded that commercialization of fuel cells for buses is most feasible followed by van and automobile applications. (ERA citation 06:014373)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Electric and hybrid vehicle advanced technology seminar, Pasadena, CA, USA, 8 Dec 1980.
• Corporate Authors:

  Los Alamos National Laboratory

  P.O. Box 1663
  Los Alamos, NM  United States  87545

  Department of Energy

  1000 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20585
• Authors:
  • McCormick, J B
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Pagination: 15 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acids; Automobiles; Buses; Design; Economic efficiency; Economics; Electrolytes; Feasibility analysis; Fuel cells; Fuel conservation; Fuel consumption; Hybrid automobiles; Hybrid vehicles; Lead acid batteries; Methanol; New products; Operations; Performance; Phosphoric acid; Platinum; Pollutants; Vans
• Uncontrolled Terms: Commercialization; Efficiency
• Old TRIS Terms: Acid electrolyte fuel cells
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Design; Economics; Energy; Highways; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00338275
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CONF-801242-2
• Contract Numbers: W-7405-ENG-36
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 16 1981 12:00AM