Since I’m on the Fuel Cell topic (yesterday’s post), I’ll include a news brief below from the weekly PBS program Motorweek in regards to General Motors “Project Driveway.” This large scale test of GM’s Equinox Fuel Cell technologyannounced in September will proved over 100 free Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles to gain from real customer experiences. The variety of drivers in differing driving environments will operate these vehicles and refuel with hydrogen in three geographic areas: California, the New York metropolitan area and Washington D.C. and provide data back to General Motors. Larry Burns, GM vice president, research and development and strategic planning commented that “The Equinox Fuel Cell is powered by GM’s most advanced fuel cell propulsion system to date, and demonstrates an important milestone on our pathway to automotive-competitive fuel cell propulsion technology development.” Personally I would like to see an American automotive company at least take a leadership position in getting at least ‘one’ good alternative energy vehicle to market. So far I see hybrid technology leadership in Japan and diesel from Europe … can U.S. manufacturers take a leadership position with fuel cells?
While gasoline hybrid vehicles continue to gain popular, another electrically powered car being introduced by Honda is being test marketed in three California cities. Its the hydrogen fuel cell/lithium battery powered Honda FCX Clarity. Current hybrid vehicles are criticized because they require two propulsion systems making them mechanically complex with batteries yet they still require fossil fuels in comparison to all electric vehicles.
Unfortunately electric cars powered entirely by rechargeable batteries are saddled with very expensive and heavy battery packs that degrade over time and have a limited range; it will be a long time until they can replace an ICE for anything but commuting. Fuel cells, although their current efficiency is a problem, can deliver clean hydrogen powered electricity to an electric motor as long as the vehicles has a tank of fuel. If hydrogen is generated from renewable sources, it is the cleanest of portable fuels and if used in a vehicle along with batteries could be an improvement on all-electric or gasoline hybrid electric vehicles. The Honda FCX Clarity will be an interesting test. How It Works
A hydrogen fuel cell produces electricity for the vehicle. The fuel cell combines hydrogen, which is stored in a fuel tank onboard the vehicle, with oxygen from the air to make electricity. The electricity then powers the electric motor, which in turn drives the front wheels. Water vapor and heat are the only byproducts.
A fuel cell is made up of a thin electrolyte film wedged between two electrode layers in between two separators. Several hundred layers of these cells are connected in a series.
1. Hydrogen fuel is fed into the anode of the fuel cell. Helped by a catalyst, hydrogen atoms are split into electrons and protons.
2. Electrons are channeled through a circuit to produce electricity.
3. Protons pass through the polymer electrolyte membrane.
4. Oxygen (from the air) enters the cathode and combines with the electrons and protons to form water.
5. Water vapor and heat are released as byproducts of this reaction.
According to a post at AutoblogGreen, the new Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI diesel has been improved to reduce fuel consumption. (eventually we’ll see the V6 TDI Touareg in North America, although as far as I know there isn’t a price or date.)
The V6 now averages 9.6 liters of diesel per 100 km (24.5 mpg) while putting out increased torque and power (550 Nm or 405 lb/ft and 240 HP respectively). Despite the power and torque increase, which, according to VW accounts for 0.8 liters less on the highway and even 1.4 liters to 100 km during the Euro urban cycle, the Touareg can make the jump form 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds, one second quicker than before.
I’ve posted previously that I’ve ogled the limited edition Volkswagen R32, but haven’t had a chance to compare it to other small performance hatchbacks … including its close cousin the GTI. The gang over at the long running PBS automotive program Motorweek did, and they ran the R32 it through their consistent battery of road testing. Although the VW R32 is probably the most fun of the little VeeDubs to drive, it still doesn’t have the ‘stock’ performance that can be found in pricey European sports cars or their lower priced (and less respected) Asian rivals. The R32 seemed a bit slow (if you call a 0-60 six second time slow) in the straight line testing and stopped a few feet longer than what I would have expected. Although I do envy the all-wheel drive pocket rocket from VW, I’m just as happy zipping around in a chipped-TDI or our stock GTI. (11/17/2007 Motorweek Episode clip below)
We’ve been out of town the last couple of days and now it is catch up time for a short week of work before
Thanksgiving. It was an enjoyable visit in New York with my in-laws and a chance to give them a hand with a few home maintenance projects. Their beautifully restored 180 year old farmhouse always has a few touch up projects and when it is not your own they are enjoyable. (mine never seem to get done) Although the weather was slightly above freezing, we did get a little snow.
I missed posting this weekend and figured why not add a Sunday entry on Monday? Here’s a great catamaran sailing video with some interesting onboard camera angles. Hmm … too bad winter is around the corner in my neck of the woods. (and in Ben Erikson’s too)
🙂
The stone masons (stone artists) continue to make slow progress on our new back porch fireplace. I’m finally giving up on having an evening fire before winter.
Fred Voglmaier founder of the TDIClub announced Thursday November 15th that Cincinnati was chosen as the site for the 2008 TDIFest to be held on Labor Day weekend — TDIFest OH-8. The CinciTDI group with help from the ColumbusTDIDrivers group are excited to host the annual gathering and believe our central location could make this the largest (and best) TDIFest ever.
More at the TDIClub Forum.
Those of you wanting a bit of luxury while sipping fuel might want to start saving your pennies. Mercedes Benz has announced their new S400 Bluetec Hybrid that will be available in 2010. The 265 HP/465 pound-feet of torque V6 diesel coupled to a high-torque electric motor will whisk this large luxury S-Class sedan to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds while returning 40.5 mile per gallon on the highway. The vehicle doesn’t sport a price tag, was just another announcement at the LA Auto Show.
An analysis article written my Timothy Gardner and published in Reuters summarizes the challenges of running a biodiesel business. Although fuel prices have risen significantly and demand for alternative have tripled sales of biodiesel to 250 million gallons last year, the oil feed crops have risen as well. Soyoil, the primary oil feed crop in the U.S., have risen to a 33 year high this past year as plants continue to come online processing the oil into fuel. The spike in feedstock has pinched margins for processors and is taking a toll on profits.
According to the article, the amount of U.S. produced soyoil being used for biodiesel “should be 20% this year, which is up 6%'” The concern is that even with record crude oil prices that some biodiesel producers are still facing negative margins.
“We’ve produced capacity well beyond the ability of the market to absorb it today,” Lapp told the Soya and Oilfeed Summit 2007 this week.
And any increase in soybean production may not help much because demand for soyoil for food keeps growing as the global population rises, experts said.
Even record oil prices above $90 a barrel are unlikely to boost demand for soy biodiesel as a substitute for diesel made from crude, because the food industry will always outbid the energy industry for soyoil, Lapp said.
“The food industry is always going to be willing to do what it takes to produce that food,” he said.
To end on a positive note, the alternative and biodiesel industry is even more serious about looking into new feedstocks — ones that are not a food-based oilstock. About the only problem is that North American based oil crops are grown on traditional farms, ones that are currently growing soybeans or canola. Perhaps this new demand for ‘grown oil’ will simulated the Algae to Oil research and development?
While gasoline hybrid vehicles continue to gain popular, another electrically powered car being introduced by Honda is being test marketed in three California cities. Its the hydrogen fuel cell/lithium battery powered 
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