Based on the exhibits at this
winter's auto shows, cars
powered by next-generation
technologies aren't too far
away. At January's 2007
Auto Show in Washington, D.C., Ford rolled out a version of its Edge
crossover vehicle that combines a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack, a hydrogen fuel
cell, and plug-in technology for fuel efficiency that exceeds 41 mpg with zero
emissions—except for water vapor ().
The 336-V Li-ion battery pack drives
the Edge for the first 25 miles of operation up to speeds of 85 mph. When the
battery is depleted to 40% of its charge,
the fuel cell automatically kicks in to
recharge the battery and provide a range
of 225 miles. Drivers also can recharge
the battery pack by plugging it in to a
standard electrical outlet.
Drivers who travel less than 50 miles a
day could see 80 mpg or better for a
range between fuel-cell fill-ups of more
than 400 miles. The 350-bar hydrogen tank carries 4.5 kg of useable hydrogen
(). Known as the HySeries Drive, this
combination of electric and fuel-cell technology reduces the size, weight, and cost
of conventional fuel-cell systems by more
than 50% while doubling the lifetime of
the fuel-cell stack.
Ford designed the HySeries Drive for
fuel and engine flexibility. The fuel-cell power system can be removed and
replaced with a diesel or ethanol engine
connected to an electric generator to produce energy like the fuel cell in the current model. With this design, Ford hopes
to adapt to new propulsion technologies
as they become available without
redesigning the vehicle.
