Video: GM's fuel cell E-Flex at CES
The video above is a look at GM's fuel cell E-Flex model on display at CES 2008. The model is a "cut-away" which allows you to get a close look at E-Flex's lithium-ion battery, the hydrogen containers, and the electric motors. It doesn't look like much has changed since the last time we showed you the concept from the Shanghai Auto Show. The video does include a good close up of the "quick start" button which lets the car drive the motors directly from the fuel cell tanks instead of the batteries. GM's fuel cell mode button kinda reminds me of Toyota's EV mode button. Except Toyota's button changes the type of motor driving the car while GM's FC button just changes the fuel. Who mighy care? I guess all those hydrogen purists in the next decade. I hate them already.
[Source: Scientific American]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 8:07PM (1/09/2008)
See, I told you they shouldn’t have transferred all those GM Fuel Cell engineers to the Volt program. They are going to keep stealing resources that should be used to getting the Volt on the road as soon as possible. GM, save the company before you start playing with fuel cells! California Air Resources board; cut the fuel cell credits to a PHEV level, so there is no advantage to build these boondoggles.
Reply
Chris M 10:03PM (1/10/2008)
That reporter got a few things wrong. There are only two power sources for this concept - electricity from the socket, and compressed H2.
It is highly unlikely that the average driver would refill the H2 tanks at home, considering the very high cost of compressed H2 production equipment, the high cost of H2, and the low cost and ready availability of electricity.
There is no "quick start" button like he described. It takes time for the fuel cell stack to power up, so this car will always start out running on battery power. The fuel cell range extender will begin its startup when the battery charge drops to about 35%, which might be fairly soon if the batteries haven't been charged recently.
Reply