TOKYO — Clean cars that run on the universe's most abundant element and emit nothing but water vapor seem like an ideal solution for tackling the world's energy pinch and climate crisis.
That is why several automakers are racing to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology as a long-term, sustainable path to electrifying transportation. But the key words here are "long term."
Even the most bullish advocates, such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Hyundai Motor Group, concede the technology is still in its infancy and beset with numerous hurdles to mass commercialization. There are the monumental costs of the fuel cell systems, the complexity of building a fueling infrastructure and the question of delivering an affordable hydrogen supply.
Some companies are already dialing back their ambitions as the industry prioritizes the more immediate potential of full-electric vehicles that get their power solely from a battery. Daimler's Mercedes-Benz said in April that it would end development of fuel cell systems for passenger vehicles and turn its fuel cell focus to heavy-duty trucks in a joint venture with Volvo Group. General Motors and Honda are still working together on a next-generation fuel cell system.
Ford Motor Co. announced in 2018 it would wind down its cooperation with Daimler on fuel cells, and BMW has said fuel cells lag EV development by 10 years, even as it readies its own entry. The i Hydrogen Next, based on the X5 midsize crossover, is scheduled for limited-volume production in 2022.
Fuel cell systems are vexingly complex because they bolt on so much extra hardware. They have a high-pressure carbon-fiber-reinforced tank to store the hydrogen. They require a pricey fuel cell stack, which combines the hydrogen with oxygen from the air to generate electricity through a chemical reaction. And they have a battery and electric motor, like full EVs.
Toyota, a fuel cell true believer that cooperates with BMW on the technology, is on track to launch its second-generation Mirai fuel cell car this year, said Yoshihiko Hamamura, head of the company's fuel cell EV program. Toyota is mum on technical details, but the car's chief engineer said last year that the fuel cell system was reworked top to bottom.
One approach to cost cutting is using less expensive materials in the fuel cell catalyst. Toyota's earliest setups used gold-plated stainless steel. Later systems use titanium, but that is also expensive. Another approach is improving the manufacturing process so catalyst granules can more uniformly coat the fuel cells. This will improve their performance, delivering the same output from fewer cells.
Carmakers can also get by with fewer cells if they offset that with a bigger battery.
Meanwhile, Toyota is focusing on ways to speed production of time-intensive steps, such as wrapping hydrogen tanks with carbon fiber. Streamlined manufacturing is another big cost-saver.
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August 03, 2020 at 11:00AM
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Fuel cells a long way from everyday EVs - Automotive News
"fuel" - Google News
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