All About Alternate Fuel Vehicles (AFV)

Graeme Fletcher, For CanWest News Service /December 06, 2007
Source: Driving.ca
http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?
id=35bcf8f5-4009-4db1-8c44-aa30bde4d9aa

Look at the Kia Sportage Fuel Cell and it could be just another SUV. Turn the ignition key, however, and the difference is deafening.  Aside from the slight whirring from the various fans needed to cool and feed the fuel cell, there is nothing but silence. It just sits there waiting for someone to prod the accelerator pedal.  Prod it, though, and the Sportage takes off with a burst of energy only an electric-powered car can produce — the electric motor’s peak power is developed at the first rev. On the test loop the Sportage FC tackled some fairly serious hills without missing a beat.
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Source: FuelCellToday.com / Nov. 23, 2007
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/online/news/articles/
2007-11/ISRO-and-Tata-team-to-develop-hy

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and India’s largest automobile manufacturer Tata Motors are working towards the launch next year of a fuel cell vehicle, it has been reported.  According to the Hindu, the prototype fuel cell vehicle would make use of ISRO’s rocket technology, be fuelled by hydrogen and would have hydrogen storage and regulatory and control systems.

“Hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen will combine together in the fuel cell and electricity will be produced,” confirmed G Madhavan Nair, chairman of the ISRO and secretary at the Department of Space, in the publication.

Mr Nair went on to say that an agreement concerning the pilot project had been signed and that work had already started.  The aim of the project is to test the viability of using hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles.

“We are working with Tata to see how the best prototype model can be put on road by next year,” Mr Nair continued.  “Hydrogen-powered and the storage and handling etc, we will take care from whatever we know; and the Tatas are good at making best cars,” he explained.

Oviedo, Florida, December 7, 2007
Source: Environmental News Service ENS
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-07-091.asp

Florida’s second hydrogen vehicle fueling station was opened with a ceremony today in the city of Oviedo, about 10 miles northeast of Orlando, where the state’s first hydrogen station opened in May.  Florida Department of Environmental Protection, DEP, Secretary Michael Sole joined executives from Ford Motor Company, BP America, Inc., Progress Energy Florida and the United States Department of Energy to officially open the new fueling station.
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Sacramento, CA., Nov 28, 2007
Source: AutoSpectator.com /Chrysler LLC
http://www.autospectator.com/cars/chrysler-llc/
0035393-chrysler-llc-joins-california-fuel-cell-partnership

Chrysler is the newest member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP)—the 34th member of the public-private partnership.  “Of the fuel sources on the table for long-term future use in transportation, hydrogen holds the greatest promise,” said Mark Chernoby, Vice President – Advance Vehicle Engineering, Chrysler LLC. “Collaborations such as the California Fuel Cell Partnership will help engineers develop solutions for this technology at an accelerated rate.”
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02 Dec 2007
Source: CarJunky.com
http://news.carjunky.com/alternative_fuel_vehicles/honda-fcx-clarity-fuel-cell-vehicle-cdfh130.shtml

Honda motors unveiled the Honda FCX Clarity Fuel-Cell Vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, 2007. In announcing the new Honda FCX Clarity, Honda also stated that the new vehicle will be available in limited quantities for a three-year lease starting in the summer of 2008, but will only be available to people who live in Southern California for refueling reasons. Collision insurance and maintenance will all be covered by the three-year $600/month lease.
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by Mike Hanley, Dec 12, 2007 /Source: KickingTyres
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007/12/equinox-fuel-ce.html

Even though hydrogen fuel cell vehicles may be a long way from appearing in a showroom near you, they are already starting to populate America’s roads thanks to test programs from manufacturers like Honda and Chevrolet. Chevrolet’s effort, called Project Driveway, aims to place about 100 Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell SUVs in the hands of ordinary drivers for extended loans. I recently had the chance to take a short drive around La Jolla, Calif., in the Equinox fuel cell, and I came away impressed.
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by Kouji Kariatsumari, Nikkei Electronics /Dec 10, 2007
Source: TechOn.com
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20071210/143925/

Toyota Motor Corp held a lecture titled “Development of Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle-Cruising Range” at EVS23. The lecture was focused on Toyota’s efforts to improve the cruising range of its FCHV fuel cell vehicle.  The fuel efficiency of the 2005 model FCHV based on the 10-15 Japanese test cycle is 103km/kg. Compared with the result of the test cycle, the fuel efficiency during the actual driving is reportedly degraded by about 30% to about 70km/kg due to the influence of the variation in driving pattern and electric components such as air conditioner.  As a result, the 2005 FCHV only drives about 220km on one hydrogen charge.
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6 Dec 2007
Source: MyWebTimes.com
http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=349664
To reduce emissions and costs, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has purchased 30 all-electric Miles ZX40 cars from Bill Walsh Automotive Group’s Starved Rock Electric Company. The acquisition represents the single largest purchase of Miles electric vehicles by a government agency.
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Dec 5, 2007
Source: Smith Electric Vehicles / press release
http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com/products.asp?p=n&itemid=187

THE world’s leading manufacturer of commercial electric vehicles is launching its unique zero emission truck in the North American market.  The robust Smith Newton is the world’s largest high performance electric truck, weighing in with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of over 24,000lbs. A rack of suitcase-sized, 278 volt batteries and a 120 kilowatt motor quickly propel the vehicle up to its top speed of 50mph. In fact, Newton can accelerate from 0-30mph faster than the equivalent diesel-powered truck.
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December 5, 2007
Source: Gizmag.com
http://www.gizmag.com/modec-electric-vehicle-debuts-in-america/8462/

Modec is continuing to expand the market for its electric zero emission vehicles, making its American debut at the 23rd Electrical Vehicle Symposium from December 2-5. The Modec Vehicle is capable of a 100 mile range at up to 50 miles per hour, and with a payload of up to two tones. Impressively, it’s also comparable to diesel vehicles in total cost of ownership – and the lack of tax and congestion charge form a great incentive to fleet companies.
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