China's first fuel cell car now a reality
One doesn't normally think of Chinese automakers immediately when it comes to advanced power trains and breakthrough vehicle technologies, but that may change pretty soon. Fuel Cell Today is reporting that China has built its first fuel cell car. It's the result of a joint effort involving Tsinghua University, Chery Auto and J&K Technologies that started in 2005.
Not resting on their laurels, Tsinghua University's Zong Qiang Mao told the National Hydrogen Association earlier this year in Long Beach, California that China would have 20,000 fuel cell buses in operation by 2020.
Fuel Cell Works has the text of the actual press release which seems to state that the car tops out at 80 kph (about 50 mph) with an engine cost increase of just 10 percent over a traditional car. I'm not entirely certain why they state that last part as the engine is probably a pretty simple electric motor. If they're going to start talking prices, it's the fuel cell stack that we're interested in.
[Source: Fuel Cell Today]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mirko 4:36AM (10/18/2006)
If that's China's first fuel cell car, what are Tongji University's fuel cell VW Santanas I saw at the Challenge Bibendum?
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Derrick Y. Noh 8:41AM (10/18/2006)
Hey Mirko,
I, unfortunately, left out that the car described above is the first fuel cell car COMPLETELY developed in China with complete intellectual property rights. Not only should I have mentioned that, but I also should have stressed it. Thanks for pointing that out.
I couldn't find much information on Tongi University's Santana fuel cell vehicle, however, I imagine they may have used some degree of proprietary technology instead of building the hydrogen powertrain from the ground up.
In any case, it's exciting that you were able to attend Michelin's Challenge Bibendum this year.
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Brett 8:57AM (10/18/2006)
Good grief, you would think that they could at least use a picture where the displayed slide doesn't have notation and capitalization errors.
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Derek 6:37PM (12/30/2006)
You can't see all the slide, those capitalizations could be acronyms. Hey, it's a second language, cut them a break! Besides, they're engineers, not english majors!
It's good to hear that China is moving forward with technology as they have the potential to become the worst polluter in history. I'd still rather hear about something that makes more sense than hydrogen, but this will foster more research in other fields, I am sure.
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