VW Displays Their Hydrogen Ride
June 13, 2008
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Yesterday Volkswagen revealed their latest car based on a hydrogen fuel cell engine. Called the Tiguan HyMotion, the car is the company’s fourth generation fuel cell vehicle. Their fuel cell research operations opened up in 2001 with the aim of finding the technology that will help drivers cut their carbon footprint.
Despite generating much excitement, the company made very clear that this is not the only clean technology they are pursuing. John Tillman of VW said, “There isn’t one technology, one fuel, that will provide the answer. We have multiple technologies. This is just one of them.”
The company is also pushing hard on clean diesel vehicles, and expect them to make up close to 30% of their sales within 10 years.
The fuel cell in the Tiguan is combined with a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Together, they have the equivalent power of a 134 horsepower engine. The car can go from 0 mph – 60 mph is 14 seconds and tops out at a max speed of 93 mph, and strong increase from the 83 mph their last fuel cell car achieved. While not as high as many cars on the road today, the top speed should be more than enough for the average driver.
The biggest hurdle for fuel cell technology as a way to help people cut their carbon footprint is the lack of fueling infrastructure. Even if the Tiguan was being mass produced at a reasonable price (it is currently very expensive and they have only built two of them), there is nowhere for drivers to refill their tanks with hydrogen.
Mr, Tillman said, “We want to introduce the vehicle when the consumer has the capacity to fuel it. We don’t see that happening anytime soon.”
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