This is the first time that plug-in capability has been seen in a drivable fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle. The benefit of this system is that by plugging in the vehicle, a refueling station could go unseen--that is, as long as trips stay short. A full charge of the battery takes 6-7 hours at 110 volts (costing 5-10 cents / kWh today). If more range is required, a full fill of the hydrogen tank costs about $40 today--one third less than it costs to fill up a Honda Civic.
There are already a handful of hydrogen refuelling stations on the west coast of Canada--more still down along the ever-growing "hydrogen highway" into the US. For three years, this hydrogen highway has already been fueling the Focus Fuel Cell Vehicle--of which five are in B.C. But, until the infrastructure grows, Ford sees the ability to 'plug in' as a bridge, linking the present to the future.
After pushing the Aston-Martin door handles, sitting inside the HySeries Edge is nearly identical to sitting inside the gasoline powered Edge; there's just a high-tech navigation-sized systems display monitor up front, a power delivery gauge in place of a tachometer, and a slightly larger bulge on the rear passenger floor. Fortunately, there's the same enlightening massive sunroof--or should I say sunroofs. There's plenty of free space under the hood, not to mention in the back for storage.
Driving this vehicle is remarkably similar to driving the V6-powered Edge. Yes, at nearly 2450 kilograms, about 600 more than the V6 Edge, the HySeries Edge is heavy--but you don't feel it with full torque available off the line. Fortunately, most of the weight is positioned quite low and central. Even though the HySeries Edge does with only about 170 hp, I'd consider it more than sufficient for everyday city driving. At 136 km/h on the highway, it also tops out above any Canadian speed limit.
The electric motors, which are never driven directly by the fuel cell, drive this vehicle in a 1:1 ratio, so that much more go pedal equals that much more go. Take your foot off the throttle, and the car begins to slow--while recharging batteries. A 'downshift' type of selection is available to further slow the vehicle, while another selection maximizes efficiency. Though this dulls power responses, putting your foot to the floor immediately delivers full power in case of an emergency.
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| The hydrogen refuelling station infrastructure is slowly starting to grow. |
There are already a handful of hydrogen refuelling stations on the west coast of Canada--more still down along the ever-growing "hydrogen highway" into the US. For three years, this hydrogen highway has already been fueling the Focus Fuel Cell Vehicle--of which five are in B.C. But, until the infrastructure grows, Ford sees the ability to 'plug in' as a bridge, linking the present to the future.
After pushing the Aston-Martin door handles, sitting inside the HySeries Edge is nearly identical to sitting inside the gasoline powered Edge; there's just a high-tech navigation-sized systems display monitor up front, a power delivery gauge in place of a tachometer, and a slightly larger bulge on the rear passenger floor. Fortunately, there's the same enlightening massive sunroof--or should I say sunroofs. There's plenty of free space under the hood, not to mention in the back for storage.
Driving this vehicle is remarkably similar to driving the V6-powered Edge. Yes, at nearly 2450 kilograms, about 600 more than the V6 Edge, the HySeries Edge is heavy--but you don't feel it with full torque available off the line. Fortunately, most of the weight is positioned quite low and central. Even though the HySeries Edge does with only about 170 hp, I'd consider it more than sufficient for everyday city driving. At 136 km/h on the highway, it also tops out above any Canadian speed limit.
The electric motors, which are never driven directly by the fuel cell, drive this vehicle in a 1:1 ratio, so that much more go pedal equals that much more go. Take your foot off the throttle, and the car begins to slow--while recharging batteries. A 'downshift' type of selection is available to further slow the vehicle, while another selection maximizes efficiency. Though this dulls power responses, putting your foot to the floor immediately delivers full power in case of an emergency.
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| Electric motors front and rear on the HySeries Edge drive all four wheels. |