DaimlerChrysler Delivers F-Cell to Inergy

14 July 2005

DaimlerChrysler has delivered one of its F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to Inergy Automotive Systems, making Inergy the first F-Cell customer in Michigan since the DOE Hydrogen Learning Demonstration Project kickoff in Washington, DC.

Inergy, a leader in plastic fuel systems, will put the vehicle in daily use to provide further knowledge on operational capabilities and to help conduct research on hydrogen storage.

Inergy will refuel the F-Cell at the DTE Energy Hydrogen Technology Park in Southfield, Michigan, with a BP hydrogen dispenser.

The F-Cell delivered is not one of the new, higher-powered, longer-ranged B-class-based vehicles DaimlerChrysler introduced at the Geneva show in March, but the earlier A-class-based vehicle with a range of approximately 100 miles and a top speed of 85 mph.

The electric motor develops 88 hp (65 kW), enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 14 seconds. The stack is developed by DaimlerChrysler’s cooperation partner, Ballard Power Systems.

The next-generation F-Cell, by contrast, develops 100 kW and has a range of some 250 miles.