Hydrogen-Powered Volkswagen Passat
Back in 1999, the Sacramento-based California Fuel Cell Partnership (CFCP) was formed in an effort to bring together automakers, energy companies, and government agencies to develop viable auto fuel cells. The latest creation to come out of the CFCP is the Volkswagen Passat Ling Yu. Those who watched the 2008 Summer Olympics may recognize the Passat Ling Yu as one of the camera vehicles used in running and cycling races.
The VW Passat Ling Yu has a typical hydrogen fuel cell drive train. The wheels are powered by electric motors that draw electricity from a large battery pack. When the battery pack begins to lose charge, the hydrogen fuel cell kicks on and recharges it. This car has an 88 kilowatt electric motor (equivalent of 118 horsepower), which provides 155 lb-ft of torque. 0-to-60 mph clocks in at 15 seconds and the top speed is 90 mph. The range of the fuel cell is 147 miles.
The power is more than adequate, but it’s the range that is the problem. The CFCP estimates that a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will need a range of at least 300 miles between fill-ups in order to be viable on the market, and the fuel cell itself will need to be durable and last at least 150,000 miles. The development efforts are well worth it, though, because, as you can see from the above picture, the only emissions from a hydrogen vehicle is pure water.
The actual driving capabilities of the Passat Ling Yu is most notable in its blandness. The fact that the car feels pretty much like a normal Passat (though with a bit less power) is in itself a massive accomplishment. There are now two problems that must be conquered before hydrogen vehicles have a chance to become the norm on our roads: the distribution infrastructure and the cost. Fuel cell vehicles are pretty expensive to develop right now but, as with all technology, it tends to get less expensive as time wears on, so that’s not a big concern. The infrastructure is the biggie. There are thousands upon thousands of gas stations across the country, but only a handful of hydrogen refueling stations, although the CFCP does plan on building about 100 along California’s highways in the next couple years.
