Getting easier to be green

Alternative fuel technologies at the International Auto Show

Some of you may not know about EEbeat.com. It’s a blog site where the editors of Electronic Products write and post technology-related articles that we think are cool, but might not necessarily cover in the magazine. More important, though, it presents us with a venue where can truly interact with tech-minded individuals—like the readers of EP—on topics that hopefully we all find to be of interest. One of my more recent posts is an article I wrote about my visit to the International Auto Show at New York City’s Javits Center. The following is a synopsis of that piece.

I went to the Auto Show with a premeditated agenda: to bear witness to the edification of electronics in the automotive market. But, as I passed by the displays from various manufacturers, it became clear that carmakers are invested heavily in developing alternative fuel concepts.

The HySeries

Featured in the Airstream concept car, Ford’s HySeries Drive powertrain is being billed as the first drivable fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability. The powertrain is continuously powered by a 336-V Li-ion battery pack that provides a 25-mile range on full charge.

Alternatively, the 350-bar hydrogen fuel cell operates as an on-board charger that extends driving range another 280 miles when the battery pack is 40% depleted.

The Chevy Volt

Another neat concept car trying to push the alternative-fuel envelope is the Chevy Volt, an electric vehicle that sports GM’s E-Flex Propulsion System. The system uses an electric drive, a 53-kW direct engine-mounted generator, a 3-cylinder, 1.0-liter engine for onboard recharging, right- and left-side charge ports, a high-energy Li-ion battery pack with plug-in recharging capability, and two 6-gallon saddle fuel tanks.

The Chevy Equinox

Actually, Chevy’s Equinox Fuel Cell car is beyond being simply a concept: 100 of the cars are scheduled to be rolled out for testing and evaluations in New York City, Washington, DC, and in California. Called Project Driveway, the test is being billed as the “first meaningful market test of fuel cell vehicles.” The electric Equinox boasts an ability to operate in subfreezing temperatures as well as travel up to 200 miles per fill up.

Honda’s FCX Concept

Honda is currently the only company to have a fuel-cell car approved for commercial use: its FCX vehicle is already on the roads in very limited use. With a 107-hp ac electric synchronous motor fueled by compressed hydrogen gas, the FCX vehicle is capable of speeds up to 93 mph. The fuel cell provides an 86-kW power output.

BMW’s Hydrogen 7

One of the only higher-end car manufacturers exhibiting an alternative fuel technology other than hybrid was BMW, with their Hydrogen 7 concept car. Basically, the Hydrogen 7 packs a hydrogen drive into a Series 7 beemer. The car features a 260-HP, 12-cylinder engine capable of pushing the car in excess of 130 mph.

The complete article can be found at http://www.eebeat.com/?p=553. ■

Ralph Raiola