Volkswagen showed the world its first fuel-cell car during the opening of the California Fuel Cell Partnership Headquarters in Sacramento, California.
Known as the Bora HyMotion, the new car is designed as a genuine ' zero emissions ' vehicle.
The HyMotion's engine uses an advanced fuel cell that transforms hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy for the electric motor. The only by-product from this process is water vapour. In the HyMotion, the fuel cell's engine works at the core of the car's drive system, which allows it to run at a higher degree of efficiency than that of a typical combustion engine. Further, with this fuel cell system, the most efficient
operation is realised at mid-throttle, which is the throttle range used the most during driving.
The Bora HyMotion tank has a capacity of 50 litres of liquid hydrogen at 253° C. In energy terms, this is equivalent to 12 litres of petrol and represents a range of about 215 miles. The electric motor operates quietly, without vibration, and, say the company, ensures a pleasant and relaxed drive. The asynchronous electric motor has a power output of about 100 bhp and generates 177 lbs/ft of torque across a wide engine speed- range. The HyMotion will accelerate to 60 mph in a little over 12 seconds, en-route to a top speed of 87 mph. |
