Ford 's H2 Powered Car - H^sup 2^RV- Ready to Go

This Article Courtesy Advanced Battery Magazine

September 2003; While widespread sales of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles may be years off, Ford's H^sup 2^RV technology concept car, which was unveiled at Ford's Centennial Celebration in June, could be built and sold today, say officials at Ford Motor Company. "What we are lacking are the other two legs of this three-legged stool - a fueling infrastructure for hydrogen, and uniform laws and regulations that will allow its use across the nation," says Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Ford research and advanced engineering.

The H^sup 2^RV combines an internal combustion engine powered by hydrogen, boosted by a supercharger, with a Ford modular hybrid transmission system (MHTS) that can be used interchangeably in various vehicle structures. MHTS is a full hybrid system using a single 300V electric motor, upgraded automatic transmission and modified hydraulics. Ford is the only automaker to develop this powertrain combination and put it into service.

The electric motor in the automatic transmission and the advanced embedded controls allow the H^sup 2^RV to stop the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is at rest and start it again quickly and smoothly, offering extra power for acceleration. Powertrain- and HEV-related systems include a 2.3L supercharged intercooled hydrogen ICE, a 288V 3.6Ah advanced Li-ion battery, 25kW peak/10kW continuous from the electrical traction drive, a 288V/14V DC to DC converter, an advanced vehicle thermal management system, and integrated hydrogen and high voltage safety systems.

The H^sub 2^ICE engine is all-weather capable, requiring zero warm-up without cold start issues. With a 52% peak indicated efficiency, it can easily achieve or exceed SULEV emissions and more than 99% reduced CO2 vehicle emissions. Performance is comparable to gasoline while fuel economy is increased 25% with the engine only and up to 50% with an aggressive hybrid electric strategy.

"The hydrogen internal combustion engine in the H^sup 2^RV has reliably proven to be similar to a gasoline-fueled engine," said Bob Natkin, group leader for hydrogen ICE development, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. "Maintenance is much the same, as is long-term durability." Natkin says hydrogen ICE engines have logged thousands of hours on dynamometers, and more than 10,000 miles on the road under the hood of Ford Focus vehicles.