After jumping into the regular AWD Edge, I was hard-pressed to tell any handling differences between the two vehicles while driving on public roads. Neither is really sporting, but both are comfortable and well built. However, while the HySeries Edge's fuel cell nears complete efficiency, the V6 Edge struggles to reach one quarter of that efficiency. The best part of the HySeries Edge, though, is that all it emits is water and heat. In terms of both emissions and efficiency, this machine does much better than us humans.
Cooperative development of the new Edge allowed for greater integration of the hybrid systems. Ford says the HySeries Edge has reduced size, weight, cost, and complexity compared to conventional fuel cell systems by 50 percent, while expected lifetime has doubled. Ford anticipates this technology to last the life of the vehicle, but they still expect lengthy mechanical warranties would be required to gather consumer acceptance. Standard maintenance is pretty minimal: tires and brakes--check and check.
For the HySeries Edge, the biggest concern of most green consumers would be how environmentally friendly the electricity and hydrogen was obtained. The development of hydrogen is about 53 % efficient by hydrolysis, up to about 75 % efficient by nuclear power. And if most of our electricity needs are met by coal, what difference would it make if we stopped emitting carbon from vehicles? Well consumers want to overcome our expensive fossil fuel addictions--all we need now is clean electricity.
photo:Robert Obara
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| The HySeries Edge is heavy: it weighs a staggering 2,450 kg, nearly 600 more than the regular Edge V6. |
Cooperative development of the new Edge allowed for greater integration of the hybrid systems. Ford says the HySeries Edge has reduced size, weight, cost, and complexity compared to conventional fuel cell systems by 50 percent, while expected lifetime has doubled. Ford anticipates this technology to last the life of the vehicle, but they still expect lengthy mechanical warranties would be required to gather consumer acceptance. Standard maintenance is pretty minimal: tires and brakes--check and check.
For the HySeries Edge, the biggest concern of most green consumers would be how environmentally friendly the electricity and hydrogen was obtained. The development of hydrogen is about 53 % efficient by hydrolysis, up to about 75 % efficient by nuclear power. And if most of our electricity needs are met by coal, what difference would it make if we stopped emitting carbon from vehicles? Well consumers want to overcome our expensive fossil fuel addictions--all we need now is clean electricity.
photo:Robert Obara
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