DaimlerChrysler, BP to Partner with U.S. Department of Energy to Bring Hydrogen-Powered Cars to US Highways
- Project to Provide Real-World Experience for Emerging Fuel Cell Technology
DETROIT, April 27 -- DaimlerChrysler and BP plc will collaborate with the U.S. Department of Energy and other organizations to field-test fuel cell vehicles in the United States beginning this year, the next step in bringing the clean, efficient technology to broad market distribution.
The vehicle test program is part of a five-year "Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project," funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy. The project is designed to gain real-world experience with fuel cell vehicles, to address related issues such as fuels and fueling infrastructure, and to educate the public about this developing technology.
DaimlerChrysler has proposed to supply their fuel cell vehicles to fleets in certain US markets. BP proposes to provide the refueling infrastructure to support the fueling needs of those fleets.
"Fuel cell vehicles have great promise as a highly fuel efficient, virtually emission-free transportation in the years to come. But there is much to learn and a lot of work to be done before that promise becomes reality," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of the Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler.
"This collaboration with government, energy providers and educators brings together the right partners to address these challenges," Zetsche said.
According to Ross Pillari, president BP America, "We are convinced that programs such as this supported by the US DoE will provide the impetus for future development of hydrogen production and fueling technologies."
Fuel cell cars are electric vehicles that make their own electric power on board by combining hydrogen from a fuel source and oxygen from the air along a special membrane called a PEM (proton exchange membrane). Fuel cells are significantly more efficient than combustion engines, and the only exhaust produced is water.
"We have demonstrated technical feasibility with our concept vehicles over the past decade," said Dr. Andreas Truckenbrodt, head of fuel cell and advanced powertrain development for DaimlerChrysler.
"The next step is to demonstrate that fuel cell powered vehicles are 'Fit for Daily Use.' We need to get field experience on the road in daily use to determine how our customers use the vehicles and what their needs are. This partnership with the U.S. government is an important part of that process," Dr. Truckenbrodt said.
"BP has a wealth of experience in producing, distributing and selling a range of fuels and we are applying this experience to hydrogen," said Carol Battershell, BP director of alternative fuels. "This program will give us the opportunity to grow the number of hydrogen fuelling facilities we have in operation, which will expand our understanding of the technical, social and economic challenges we face in bringing hydrogen to our customers."
In addition to DaimlerChrysler, BP, and the Department of Energy, other participants include:
* DTE Energy Ventures, the Detroit-based energy technology company, will supply hydrogen fuel.
* The California Fuel Cell Partnership, a fuel cell consortium based near Sacramento, and NextEnergy, the Detroit-based alternative energy education and research organization.
* Academic institutions, including the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan; Lansing Community College; three branches of the University of California (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and Riverside); and SRI International.
About DaimlerChrysler
DaimlerChrysler has been a leader in the development of fuel cell vehicles, beginning with the NECAR 1 in 1994. It is placing 60 F-Cell passenger cars into service in the United States, Europe and Asia. The F-Cell is a four-passenger fuel cell powered car based on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The powertrain and fuel system are housed under the vehicle compartment floor, with no loss of passenger or cargo space. The F-Cell has a top speed of 85 mph and a range of 100 miles.
DaimlerChrysler is also testing 33 fuel cell powered Citaro buses in Europe and Australia and is partnering with package delivery services Hermes Versand in Europe and UPS in the United States to test fuel cell-powered Sprinter vans in daily service.
By the end of 2004, DaimlerChrysler will have real-world experience with more than 100 fuel cell powered vehicles.
About BP
BP is one of the world's largest energy companies, with global interests in more than 100 countries. It is a major producer of oil and gas and has substantial refining, retail, petrochemical and solar interests. The company employs more than 110,000 people worldwide.
BP produces 5000 tons of hydrogen per day and is a key player in hydrogen demonstration projects across the globe. Some examples of these projects include:
* BP is a partner in the California Fuel Cell Partnership, which operates a hydrogen fuelling station in Sacramento. This partnership is a great example of the value of close cooperation between industry, Government and regulatory bodies in facilitating the development of hydrogen fueled transportation.
* BP is a key hydrogen infrastructure provider to CUTE (Clean Urban Transport), a pan-European nine-city fuel cell bus project. Hydrogen filling stations are operating in Barcelona, Porto, Hamburg and Stuttgart.
* BP is providing hydrogen infrastructure to fill vehicles in Singapore.
* BP's subsidiary ARAL built the world's first public hydrogen refueling station at Munich airport which has been in operation since 1998.
* BP will open several new US hydrogen refueling stations in 2004 including one at Los Angeles International Airport.
* Additional information about BP's Hydrogen program can be found at www.bp.com/hydrogen .
Notes
While the development of automotive fuel cells has made significant progress in the past few years, some major challenges still remain. The cost of producing fuel cell vehicles needs to be reduced to compete with conventional engine technology. Further, the production of hydrogen fuel and development of an infrastructure for hydrogen refueling has to be established and standardized.
DaimlerChrysler Fuel Cell Vehicles on the Road
F-Cell. 60 F-Cells are being operated by customers in Europe, the USA, Japan and Singapore. The entire fuel cell system is housed in the sandwich floor of the long-wheelbase A-Class, leaving full use of the passenger and cargo spaces. The F-Cell has a range of about 100 miles (150 km) and a top speed of about 85 mph (140 km/h). The fuel is compressed hydrogen. (4.2 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers).
Citaro city bus. These buses with a capacity of up to 70 passengers will operate in daily bus service in 10 European cities, from the cold of the Nordic winter (Stockholm and Reykyavik) to the heat of the Spanish summer (Madrid and Barcelona), and in the hilly regions of Stuttgart. Three additional buses will go into service in Perth, Australia. The 40-foot (12 m) buses have an operating range of about 125 miles (200 km). Pressurized cylinders containing compressed hydrogen are located on the roof of the bus.
Sprinter van. A fuel cell Sprinter van has logged more than 15,000 miles in daily service with Hermes Versand package delivery service in Hamburg in a two-year demonstration period. The van is fueled by gaseous hydrogen and has a range of about 95 miles (150 km). There is no loss of cargo space. A fuel cell Sprinter van is being put into service in the United States by UPS delivery service.
A Brief History of DaimlerChrysler Fuel Cell Concept Vehicles
Since the debut of its first concept vehicle in 1994, DaimlerChrysler has developed more than 20 concept vehicles utilizing fuel cell technology, including:
1994: NECAR 1. The first fuel cell vehicle (New Electric Car) demonstrated that fuel cell technology is suitable for automotive application. The entire cargo space of the Mercedes-Benz van was taken up by the fuel cell system weighing 1,764 pounds (800 kg), leaving only room for two researchers.
1996: NECAR 2. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class is a fully utilizable van with six seats, an operating range of 155 miles (250 km) and a top speed of 68 mph (110 km/h). The entire fuel cell apparatus, with a power output of 50 kW, is stowed under the rear seat and two hydrogen tanks are located on the roof.
1997: NEBUS. Operating on single hydrogen tank filling, NEBUS has a range of 155 miles (250 km), suitable for normal daily bus service. Several additional fuel cell concept buses have been developed.
1997: NECAR 3. This vehicle demonstrated for the first time that the hydrogen can be generated on board from a liquid fuel, methanol.
1999: NECAR 4. The entire fuel cell drive unit is housed in the sandwich floor of an A-Class car, leaving space for five occupants and their luggage. This vehicle runs on liquid hydrogen, with a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h) and a range of 280 miles (450 km). NECAR 4a runs on compressed hydrogen and is much more compact.
2000: NECAR 5. This vehicle based on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class runs on methanol. In 2002, NECAR 5 became the first fuel cell vehicle to complete a trans-continental trip, from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
1999, 2000: Jeep(R) Commander and Jeep Commander 2. These vehicles demonstrated the application of fuel cell technology to the SUV market. Commander was designed to run on gasoline, and Commander 2 operated on methanol.
2001: Natrium. Based on the Chrysler Town & Country minivan, this vehicle was fueled by sodium borohydride, a compound made from borax. Natrium has an operating range of 300 miles (500 km) and a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h).
