VW bringing fuel cell prototypes for ride-and-drive at the Los Angeles Auto Show
10 November 2014
As earlier reported in the German publication Wirtschaft Woche, Volkswagen is bringing a few fuel cell prototypes to the Los Angeles auto show next week. According to Darryll Harrison of Volkswagen of America, the prototypes will be available for test drives during the Green and Advanced Technology ride-and-drive.
Although the Volkswagen Group is making a big push on battery-electric and battery-combustion engine plug-in hybrid vehicles (earlier post), the Group has not ruled out the possibility of fuel cell powertrains within its modular toolkit approach to vehicles.
Based on our modular toolkits, our engineers are currently working on electrifying up to 40 different models, from pure electric drives to plug-in hybrids, and even the fuel cell. For the medium term, we strongly believe that the plug-in hybrid will be the number one alternative.
—Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG
Their 'Space Up' concept was interesting:
'Comprised of a fuel cell and electric battery hybrid powertrain, the motor produces about 45 kw (60 horsepower) and 89 ft-lb of Torque. VW hopes that one day better batteries, and more hydrogen gas stations will exist to make a product like the Space Up Blue a realistic possibility. Using the two technologies, the concept's range is 220 miles at a top speed of 75 mph. When running exclusively on batteries, the concept's range is reduced to 65 miles.'
http://www.worldcarfans.com/10711143118/volkswagen-space-up-blue-concept-revealed
I like the idea of PHEV FCEV, and a cute micro bus is even better.
No worries about cold winters reducing it to impractically low range either.
Posted by: Davemart | 10 November 2014 at 10:31 AM
PHEVs are interesting, specially when a small FC is offered as an option as clean range extender.
They could be good for private vehicles, taxis, small buses and large city and transit buses with more batteries and/or larger FCs.
Of course, H2 stations and quick charge e-stations will have to be built, but that is not a major challenge and less costly as ongoing Middle East OIL wars.
Posted by: HarveyD | 10 November 2014 at 11:54 AM
Delivery vehicles are the first ones being built, in France and the US.
Posted by: Davemart | 10 November 2014 at 12:49 PM
And buses!:-)
Posted by: Davemart | 10 November 2014 at 12:57 PM