CELLS AND MARKETING

This article examines the use of fuel cells in vehicles, and is a sequel to the author's earlier article (IRRD 893948). Some manufacturers think that fuel cell technology could change automotive powertrain technology sufficiently in the next 10 to 15 years to enable the introduction of electric vehicles without the present range limitations and weight-cost penalties. Manufacturers like Ford and Daimler-Benz, and key suppliers like Dow and Ballard, are investing substantially in the development and manufacturing of fuel cells. Brief descriptions are given of fuel cells using hydrogen (the simplest system), methanol, and petrol as fuels. Although the expected costs of the fuel cells' main systems components have fallen dramatically in the last few years, a further cost reduction of about two orders of magnitude is needed. Fuel supply infrastructure economics will significantly affect the rate of implementing fuel cell vehicles, and affect the direction of fuel cell stack and system technology development. Ballard Power Systems and Daimler-Benz have formed what is probably the most advanced and most public fuel celled vehicle development programmes, including NECAR and NEBUS. The most severe challenge is perhaps to reduce vehicle costs to an acceptably low level.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03076490
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Mechanical Engineers

  1 Birdcage Walk
  London SW1H 9JJ,   England 
• Authors:
  • COLE, A C
• Publication Date: 1997-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 97-8,101-2
• Serial:
  • AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER
  • Volume: 22
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • ISSN: 0307-6490

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Costs; Electric batteries; Electric vehicles; Fuels; Hydrogen; Industries; Methanol; Technology
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases
• ITRD Terms: 1315: Battery; 224: Cost; 9009: Decrease; 1282: Electric vehicle; 3850: Fuel; 7187: Hydrogen; 332: Industry; 7338: Methanol; 3855: Technology
• Subject Areas: Energy; Finance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00744422
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jan 28 1998 12:00AM