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PSA Peugeot Citroën to Introduce Fuel-Cell Coupé / Cabriolet Concept at Paris Show
8 September 2006
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| The Epure. Click to enlarge. |
At the upcoming Paris Motor Show, PSA Peugeot Citroën will unveil the 207 Epure Coupé / Cabriolet concept car—a new fuel-cell hybrid using a PSA-developed fuel-cell stack.
The 207 Epure is an application of the development work PSA has undertaken with the French CEA (Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique—Atomic Energy Commission) on a new design of compact fuel cell that offers improved power output, energy efficiency and packaging: the GENEPAC (GENérateur Electrique à Pile A Combustible). (Earlier post.)
GENEPAC uses a modular design, consisting of one, two, or four PEM stack modules which are connected to a central fluid distributor. For the 207 Epure, PSA used a 20kW GENEPAC stack consisting of two modules.
A single electric drive motor provides 40 kW of power (peak output of 70 kW) and 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) of torque. A lithium-ion battery provides up to 50 kW of power. Five 15-liter cylinders hold a total of 3 kg of gaseous hydrogen compressed to 700 bar.
The tanks and battery are located at the bottom of the vehicle’s trunk, which frees up the two rear seats, does not affect the operation of the retractable roof mechanism and leaves part of the trunk available for use in the coupé position.
The Epure has a range of 218 miles (350 km), with a top speed of 81 mph (130 kph). It accelerates from 0-62 mph in 15 seconds.
September 8, 2006 in Europe, Fuel Cells, Hydrogen | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
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Comments
I'm always curious about the cost... It's a good measure as to how far off these fuel cell vehicles will be.
Posted by: Erick | Sep 8, 2006 8:59:20 PM
Are there other people like me who wouldn't want to drive the family around carrying compressed hydrogen? I think this technolog is a dead end.
Posted by: Mick Cowles | Sep 9, 2006 7:43:27 PM
Erick,
This FCV looks like it's subcompact size, yet is capable of only ~70mi/kg of H2, or ~70mpg in gasoline energy equivalent, as 1kg of H2 = 1 USgal of gasoline. The Prius is EPA rated at 61 mpg, and if converted to H2 with direct injection and higher effective compression ratio, will also be capable of ~70+ mpg or 70 mpk of H2. That will solve the vehicular cost problem associated with H2 as fuel. No need to use ridiculous high as 700 bars of H2 pressure, either, but just use the industry-standard of 300 bars for a range of 120-140 mi. For longer range, fill up the same 300-bar tank with methane at the same pressure, and design the engine to be capable of methane also, and now you enjoy a range of ~400 miles. This will solve the short range associated with H2-capable vehicle.
Mick,
Don't think that the gasoline tank in your car is safe, either. Many cars have burst into flames or exploded when the fuel tank rupture in an otherwise survivable crash. H2 is designed to be very strong to hold pressures 700 times atmospheric pressure, and thus will not rupture in an otherwise survivable crash. A very strong crash will kill the occupants before the H2 tank will rupture. Composite material for hi-pressure tank can be designed to crack and leak instead of burst and explode like a metal tank would, thus intrinsically safe from the stand point of material failure.
Posted by: Roger Pham | Sep 9, 2006 9:29:09 PM
The California Highway Patrol had some Ford Crown Victorias that would go up in flames after a rear end collision There was a whole group of companies started to provide instant fire supression systems that went in the trunks. Remember the Pinto gas tanks? While I am not for compressed hydrogen, I think CNG makes more sense, there are ways to make it safer.
Posted by: SJC | Sep 11, 2006 12:11:12 PM
SJC,
I agree with you that for now, CNG makes more sense. But, in the far future, when the technology of making H2 out of high-temp electrolysis from solar energy is perfected and become widespread, then, H2 will be significantly more energy-efficient and economical than CNG. The key word here is "far future". However, given the fact that it will take a long time for vehicular fleet to turn over, and technology development for new vehicular technology also takes a long time, we should start developing CNG-capable vehicles that can also run on compressed H2 right about now, and put less emphasis on fuel cell.
Posted by: Roger Pham | Sep 11, 2006 11:34:22 PM
It will be the Nanobattery that will solve these 'alarm raisers' for Plug in Hybrids.
Posted by: Victoria Stanford | Sep 16, 2006 12:21:13 PM
I think SNG made from gasified biomass would be good to use. You can transport it from the gasifiers to the homes and fueling stations in the NG pipelines. You can reform the SNG at the home, at the station or on the vehicle. Or you can just use SOFCs in the cars. SOFCs can use NG/SNG and use the CO2 for fuel as well.
Posted by: SJC | Sep 20, 2006 8:34:21 AM
