Green Car Congress: Quantum Awarded $6.95M in Defense Funding for Hybrid and Hydrogen Programs

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Quantum Awarded $6.95M in Defense Funding for Hybrid and Hydrogen Programs

4 January 2006

The first-generation Aggressor hybrid.

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies announced that its Alternative Mobility Vehicle (AMV) and Mobile Hydrogen Infrastructure (MHI) programs will receive a total of $6.95 million in funding in 2006 from the Department of Defense for production-intent hybrid vehicle and hydrogen programs.

The funding is for the development and demonstration of a second-generation Aggressor AMV parallel-hybrid hydrogen fuel-cell off-road vehicle (earlier post), and for further work with the recently completed HyHauler MHI, a transportable hydrogen refueling station designed for rapid refueling of military vehicles and silent watch power generators.

The original Aggressor coupled a 10-kW (13.5-hp) fuel cell with a 60-kW (80.5-hp) battery in a parallel hybrid configuration, powering a high-torque (2,280 Nm) electric motor driving the rear wheels.

Preliminary tests showed an acceleration from 0 to 60 kmh (37 mph) in less than 4 seconds, and a top speed of 120 kmh (75 mph). Quantum’s electronic control system imposes torque and speed limits on the drivetrain to enhance traction and safety.

Quantum will now develop a second-generation Aggressor II hybrid based on an internal combustion engine (ICE) rather than a fuel cell, and incorporating special undisclosed modifications, based on the results of and feedback from the U.S. Army’s testing and evaluation of the Aggressor.

The ICE-based hybrid-electric drive system is intended to provide a cost-effective, near-term solution and provide a common shared vehicle architecture with future fuel-cell applications of the vehicle. Quantum did not specify the fuel for the engine.

The company will build several pre-production prototypes to assess mission suitability, supportability, performance objectives, and guidance on final vehicle configuration.

The objective of the MHI program is to demonstrate the capability of a hydrogen refueling stations to meet emerging hydrogen fuel demand as hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are deployed throughout the military as part of the 21^st Century Base initiative.

This demonstration program is expected to include supporting the deployment of hydrogen ICE administrative vehicles as well as fuel-cell vehicles.

The HyHauler program is broader than the military application. Quantum is working on two main versions: the basic HyHauler with tanks and refueling technology, and the HyHauler Plus which creates hydrogen through electrolysis, then compresses and stores the hydrogen in a transportable package.

January 4, 2006 in Hybrids, Hydrogen | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)