www.5min.com/Video/The-F...oard-6475583
GM Skateboard car, powered by Hydrogen. . .four wheel drive electric engines, powered by the electricity produced by the hydrogen fuel cell. water is the only emission.
Discovery channel has been running a four part series called FutureCar for the past few weeks and one of the segments focused on the GM Skateboard chassis that was first shown a few years back, featuring fuel cell power and complete by-wire controls. A variation of the Skateboard is used on the Sequel concept.
The segment doesn't delve too deeply into the technology, but instead focuses on a group of design interns . They were with tasked developing some new concepts that took advantage of the packaging flexibility afforded by low profile chassis and electronic controls. The Ford HySeries Drive system is similar in concept, minus the by-wire controls, and the Airstream concept was also designed to showcase packaging flexibility, even if the aesthetics were questionable.
GM Reinvents The Automobile: Chevrolet Sequel Is A Better, Cleaner, Petroleum-Free Solution
SAN DIEGO – General Motors today announced a driveable version of the most technologically advanced automobile ever built – the Chevrolet Sequel, GM’s solution to provide the world with a cleaner, petroleum-free vehicle that is better in nearly every way.
“General Motors is proving that advanced technology can remove the automobile from the environmental debate and reduce our dependence on petroleum," said Larry Burns, GM vice president, research & development and strategic planning. “Chevy Sequel clearly shows that our vision for the future of the automobile is real and sustainable.”
Sequel was introduced in 2005 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It is the first vehicle in the world to successfully integrate a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system with a broad menu of advanced technologies such as steer-and brake-by-wire controls, wheel hub motors, lithium-ion batteries and a lightweight aluminum structure. It uses clean, renewable hydrogen as a fuel and emits only water vapor.
“Sequel fundamentally changes the DNA of today’s automobiles … exchanging an internal combustion engine, petroleum and mechanical systems for fuel cell propulsion, hydrogen and electrical systems,” Burns said. “In Sequel, GM has created a real vehicle that promises to excite customers and lead to long-term, sustainable automotive transportation.”
Compared to other fuel cell vehicles, Sequel has an unprecedented range of 300 miles between fill-ups and spirited acceleration, attaining 60 mph in just 10 seconds. Sequel also has all the amenities one would expect in a premium, five-passenger crossover SUV, including impressive styling, a spacious interior and an all-aluminum body and structure designed to meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. It has a low-profile, skateboard-like chassis that houses all of its main propulsion, braking and chassis components.
“Sequel is a vehicle that is better in nearly every way – quicker, more sure-footed, easier to handle, easier to build and better looking, while being safe and emitting only water vapor,” said Burns.
Other benefits include:
* Unequaled control on snow and ice, or uneven terrain
* 70-percent more torque for unparalleled acceleration
* Shorter braking distances
* Ability to “talk” to other vehicles about traffic congestion or road conditions
“Four years ago, our chairman and CEO, Rick Wagoner, challenged us to completely rethink the automobile,” Burns said. “With the Chevy Sequel, we have now met Rick’s challenge by reinventing the automobile and making it real. We’ve proven a new DNA for vehicles that is viable for the future.”
About General Motors Corporation
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit , GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world’s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
CONTACT(S):
Scott Fosgard
GM Powertrain Communications
Office: 248-857-0239
Cell: 586-899-2582
Fax: 248-857-0045
E-mail: scott.fosgard@gm.com
Renee McClelland
GM Fuel Cell Communications
Office: 248-857-6242
Cell: 313-418-3974
Fax: 248-857-0045
E-mail: renee.mcclelland@gm.com
Ford Edge Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car
Technical analysis of the HySeries Ford Edge
Posted Feb 1st 2007 7:51AM by Sam Abuelsamid
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, AutoblogGreen Exclusive
Click on the image for a high-res image gallery of the HySeries Edge
Last week Ford unveiled an experimental version of the Edge CUV powered by the HySeries drive-train that they first showed in the Airstream concept at the recent North American International Auto Show. This is a plug-in series hybrid setup that uses a hydrogen fuel cell as an auxiliary power unit to charge the battery on the go. There is a hydrogen storage tank mounted longitudinally down the center of the vehicle. Under the driver side of the floor lies a lithium ion battery back with a peak output of 130kW. On the opposite side is a Ballard fuel cell stack that generates electricity to charge the battery.
This Edge drives all four wheels via a pair of 65kW electric motors mounted at each axle. Unlike the previous Focus FCV which was a parallel hybrid and used the fuel cell as the primary power source to the motor, the Edge drives the motors from the battery. The previous configuration sent power directly from the fuel cell to the motor and used a NiMH battery to provide extra power for acceleration. As a result a larger fuel cell was required and it had to work harder. Since the LiIon battery can provide power on demand more quickly, it becomes the primary power source, and a smaller fuel cell works mainly to keep the battery charged when it gets low. The result is that a smaller, less expensive stack can be used, because it doesn't need the peak power output to keep the battery topped up.
Gallery: HySeries Edge
Continue reading after the jump
A direct comparison of the Edge specs with those of the Chevy Volt concept, at first glance, appears to show the Edge lacking. However, this isn't an entirely fair comparison. The Edge has a nominal range of approximately 225 miles based on a charged battery and a full 4.5kg hydrogen tank, although Ford says that they have seen a range as much as 400 miles in testing. By comparison, the Volt is claimed to have a range of up to 640 miles. Similarly, the Edge has a range of 25 miles on battery power, while the Volt can go 40 miles. The Edge uses a pair of 65kW motors for a total of 130kW, the same output as the single motor on the Volt. The batteries in both vehicles have a peak output of 130kW as well.
The Edge battery itself, is a 45 A-hr cylindrical lithium ion cell, although the supplier has not been disclosed. According to Ford they have built additional battery packs with different technologies than the one currently installed and they are currently benchmarking them. The new smaller fuel cell stack is designed to start and run at temperatures down to -15C and is being tested down to -25C. The cell has also been "heat integrated" with all the components in a single package. This helps to improve the staying time when parked outside in cold temperatures.
So why the difference in range? The Volt is about the same size as a Chevy Cobalt and weighs in at about 3,100 lbs. The Edge is a substantially larger cross-over utility vehicle and the standard production AWD model weighs in at almost 4,300 lbs, while this hybrid version comes in at almost 5,400 lbs. When you mix the same power and battery capacity with almost seventy-five percent more mass, it's definitely going to cut into your range. Unfortunately, even with all of the technological advances made in the last century, Newton's laws of motion still apply. Right now Ford is working on second HySeries Edge, that will be focused on reducing the weight and improving the fuel consumption and range.
The vehicle uses the standard Edge front suspension, but a new rear sub-frame was fabricated to support the rear electric motor. The Edge does have regenerative braking to help improve the range. At the moment, this is just a technology demonstrator, to help Ford evaluate the practicality of the HySeries drive system. Based on the data Ford collects with the first two vehicles, they will decide whether to proceed with a larger test fleet.
Like the GM E-Flex platform that underpins the Volt, Ford intends for the HySeries platform to be flexible, allowing for alternative power-units to be used in place of the fuel cell. They say it can use an internal combustion engine, although the packaging of this vehicle seems less conducive to this alternative then the E-Flex setup. The use of a higher pressure hydrogen tank can increase the fuel cell range from 200 to more than 300 miles. The battery can be charged by plugging the vehicle into either a 110V or 220V outlet.
GM Skateboard car, powered by Hydrogen. . .four wheel drive electric engines, powered by the electricity produced by the hydrogen fuel cell. water is the only emission.
Discovery channel has been running a four part series called FutureCar for the past few weeks and one of the segments focused on the GM Skateboard chassis that was first shown a few years back, featuring fuel cell power and complete by-wire controls. A variation of the Skateboard is used on the Sequel concept.
The segment doesn't delve too deeply into the technology, but instead focuses on a group of design interns . They were with tasked developing some new concepts that took advantage of the packaging flexibility afforded by low profile chassis and electronic controls. The Ford HySeries Drive system is similar in concept, minus the by-wire controls, and the Airstream concept was also designed to showcase packaging flexibility, even if the aesthetics were questionable.
GM Reinvents The Automobile: Chevrolet Sequel Is A Better, Cleaner, Petroleum-Free Solution
SAN DIEGO – General Motors today announced a driveable version of the most technologically advanced automobile ever built – the Chevrolet Sequel, GM’s solution to provide the world with a cleaner, petroleum-free vehicle that is better in nearly every way.
“General Motors is proving that advanced technology can remove the automobile from the environmental debate and reduce our dependence on petroleum," said Larry Burns, GM vice president, research & development and strategic planning. “Chevy Sequel clearly shows that our vision for the future of the automobile is real and sustainable.”
Sequel was introduced in 2005 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It is the first vehicle in the world to successfully integrate a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system with a broad menu of advanced technologies such as steer-and brake-by-wire controls, wheel hub motors, lithium-ion batteries and a lightweight aluminum structure. It uses clean, renewable hydrogen as a fuel and emits only water vapor.
“Sequel fundamentally changes the DNA of today’s automobiles … exchanging an internal combustion engine, petroleum and mechanical systems for fuel cell propulsion, hydrogen and electrical systems,” Burns said. “In Sequel, GM has created a real vehicle that promises to excite customers and lead to long-term, sustainable automotive transportation.”
Compared to other fuel cell vehicles, Sequel has an unprecedented range of 300 miles between fill-ups and spirited acceleration, attaining 60 mph in just 10 seconds. Sequel also has all the amenities one would expect in a premium, five-passenger crossover SUV, including impressive styling, a spacious interior and an all-aluminum body and structure designed to meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. It has a low-profile, skateboard-like chassis that houses all of its main propulsion, braking and chassis components.
“Sequel is a vehicle that is better in nearly every way – quicker, more sure-footed, easier to handle, easier to build and better looking, while being safe and emitting only water vapor,” said Burns.
Other benefits include:
* Unequaled control on snow and ice, or uneven terrain
* 70-percent more torque for unparalleled acceleration
* Shorter braking distances
* Ability to “talk” to other vehicles about traffic congestion or road conditions
“Four years ago, our chairman and CEO, Rick Wagoner, challenged us to completely rethink the automobile,” Burns said. “With the Chevy Sequel, we have now met Rick’s challenge by reinventing the automobile and making it real. We’ve proven a new DNA for vehicles that is viable for the future.”
About General Motors Corporation
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit , GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world’s leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
CONTACT(S):
Scott Fosgard
GM Powertrain Communications
Office: 248-857-0239
Cell: 586-899-2582
Fax: 248-857-0045
E-mail: scott.fosgard@gm.com
Renee McClelland
GM Fuel Cell Communications
Office: 248-857-6242
Cell: 313-418-3974
Fax: 248-857-0045
E-mail: renee.mcclelland@gm.com
Ford Edge Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car
Technical analysis of the HySeries Ford Edge
Posted Feb 1st 2007 7:51AM by Sam Abuelsamid
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, AutoblogGreen Exclusive
Click on the image for a high-res image gallery of the HySeries Edge
Last week Ford unveiled an experimental version of the Edge CUV powered by the HySeries drive-train that they first showed in the Airstream concept at the recent North American International Auto Show. This is a plug-in series hybrid setup that uses a hydrogen fuel cell as an auxiliary power unit to charge the battery on the go. There is a hydrogen storage tank mounted longitudinally down the center of the vehicle. Under the driver side of the floor lies a lithium ion battery back with a peak output of 130kW. On the opposite side is a Ballard fuel cell stack that generates electricity to charge the battery.
This Edge drives all four wheels via a pair of 65kW electric motors mounted at each axle. Unlike the previous Focus FCV which was a parallel hybrid and used the fuel cell as the primary power source to the motor, the Edge drives the motors from the battery. The previous configuration sent power directly from the fuel cell to the motor and used a NiMH battery to provide extra power for acceleration. As a result a larger fuel cell was required and it had to work harder. Since the LiIon battery can provide power on demand more quickly, it becomes the primary power source, and a smaller fuel cell works mainly to keep the battery charged when it gets low. The result is that a smaller, less expensive stack can be used, because it doesn't need the peak power output to keep the battery topped up.
Gallery: HySeries Edge
Continue reading after the jump
A direct comparison of the Edge specs with those of the Chevy Volt concept, at first glance, appears to show the Edge lacking. However, this isn't an entirely fair comparison. The Edge has a nominal range of approximately 225 miles based on a charged battery and a full 4.5kg hydrogen tank, although Ford says that they have seen a range as much as 400 miles in testing. By comparison, the Volt is claimed to have a range of up to 640 miles. Similarly, the Edge has a range of 25 miles on battery power, while the Volt can go 40 miles. The Edge uses a pair of 65kW motors for a total of 130kW, the same output as the single motor on the Volt. The batteries in both vehicles have a peak output of 130kW as well.
The Edge battery itself, is a 45 A-hr cylindrical lithium ion cell, although the supplier has not been disclosed. According to Ford they have built additional battery packs with different technologies than the one currently installed and they are currently benchmarking them. The new smaller fuel cell stack is designed to start and run at temperatures down to -15C and is being tested down to -25C. The cell has also been "heat integrated" with all the components in a single package. This helps to improve the staying time when parked outside in cold temperatures.
So why the difference in range? The Volt is about the same size as a Chevy Cobalt and weighs in at about 3,100 lbs. The Edge is a substantially larger cross-over utility vehicle and the standard production AWD model weighs in at almost 4,300 lbs, while this hybrid version comes in at almost 5,400 lbs. When you mix the same power and battery capacity with almost seventy-five percent more mass, it's definitely going to cut into your range. Unfortunately, even with all of the technological advances made in the last century, Newton's laws of motion still apply. Right now Ford is working on second HySeries Edge, that will be focused on reducing the weight and improving the fuel consumption and range.
The vehicle uses the standard Edge front suspension, but a new rear sub-frame was fabricated to support the rear electric motor. The Edge does have regenerative braking to help improve the range. At the moment, this is just a technology demonstrator, to help Ford evaluate the practicality of the HySeries drive system. Based on the data Ford collects with the first two vehicles, they will decide whether to proceed with a larger test fleet.
Like the GM E-Flex platform that underpins the Volt, Ford intends for the HySeries platform to be flexible, allowing for alternative power-units to be used in place of the fuel cell. They say it can use an internal combustion engine, although the packaging of this vehicle seems less conducive to this alternative then the E-Flex setup. The use of a higher pressure hydrogen tank can increase the fuel cell range from 200 to more than 300 miles. The battery can be charged by plugging the vehicle into either a 110V or 220V outlet.
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Re: GM Skateboard Technology and Ford HySeries
Wed, February 27, 2008 - 6:23 PM
water is not the only emission! ozone!!!!!!
www.space.com/scienceastr..._030613.html
fuck ballard, bush, gm and chevron. Did you know gm bought viable battery technology and sold it to chevron and they are keeping it from the marketplace? again another ploy to keep sucking on their teet.
