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Volkswagen Unveils Its First Fuel-Cell Car

2 November 2000

Volkswagen Unveils Its First Fuel-Cell Car At the Grand Opening of the California Fuel Cell Partnership

               Volkswagen's Bora HyMotion - a new drive concept

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 1 Volkswagen, a leader in the
development of environmentally friendly technologies in Europe and across the
globe, showed the world its first fuel-cell car during the opening of the
California Fuel Cell Partnership Headquarters in Sacramento, Calif.
    Volkswagen calls the car the Bora HyMotion, which is designed as a genuine
"zero emission vehicle."  The Bora model is known as the Jetta in the U.S.,
the top-selling European nameplate.
    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 vapor.
    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 realized 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
minus 253 degrees Celsius.  This is an energy equal to 12 litres of petrol
covering a range of about 350 kilometres.  The electric motor operates
quietly, without vibration and ensures a pleasant and relaxed drive.  The
asynchronous electric motor has a power output of 75 kW and with 240 Nm of
torque in a large revving range, the Bora accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in
12.6 seconds reaching a top speed of 140 km/h.
    The unveiling of this prototype comes in conjunction with the celebration
of the grand opening of the headquarters for the historic California Fuel Cell
Partnership, which was formed in April 1999 to pave the way for demonstrating
fuel cell vehicles.  Private companies and public agencies formed the
California Fuel Cell Partnership to help advance this technology that promises
practical, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation solutions
for California and the world.
    The Partnership includes auto manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Honda,
Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen, and soon GM and Toyota), energy providers (BP,
Shell, Texaco), fuel cell companies (Ballard Power Systems and International
Fuel Cells), and government agencies (the California Air Resources Board,
California Energy Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of
Transportation, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District).
    Volkswagen has been a member of the "Fuel Cell Partnership" since October
1999.