Ford Edge Plug-In Hybrid
The hydrogen revolution is nearing. Thanks to contributors such as Ford, Ballard, and yes, ever rising gasoline prices, hydrogen power will soon rock the automotive industry. Today, I drove the future, in the form of a Ford. But with the ability to plug in the vehicle to a standard power outlet, this is no "conventional" hydrogen hybrid.
The Edge, from Ford, has contributed in breathing new life into the once decaying brand, first with the power of gasoline, and now hydrogen. Known as the HySeries Edge, this one-of-a-kind Edge Hybrid is becoming a bargain with our rising dollar at $2.2 million US. If you cannot wait the 7-10 expected years before you can go to your local dealer to buy one, Ford's Escape gas/electric hybrid is on sale now.
Below the floor and flat in the middle of the HySeries Edge lays a water-heater-sized hydrogen storage tank--tubular in shape for efficient high pressure storage. 4.5 kilograms of hydrogen are stored at 5,000 psi. Due to the position of the tank, Ford's hybrid powertrain is better suited to taller vehicles. On one side of the tank sit 130 kW lithium ion batteries, which can be charged by a 35 kW fuel cell on the other side of the tank.
The fuel cell is care of a Burnaby B.C. company called Ballard, and was also produced in cooperation with the late Daimler-Chrysler. This technology has been purchased by Honda, Hyundai, Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, and Shanghai Powertrain. Ballard also produces fuel cells for busses, with their new Mk 1100 series powering fleets for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. Ballard, which has already tackled (Canadian-level) cold weather starting, says their biggest challenge in getting this technology to market is lowering cost, and increasing durability.
Electric motors front and rear on the HySeries Edge drive all four wheels--and all 22 inches of Land Rover-sourced rims at each corner. On a full charge, the motors are powered solely by battery power for the first 40 kilometers. This depletes about 60% of the battery's capacity, at which time the fuel cell provides an extra 320 kilometers. Ford says that storage of the hydrogen at 10,000 psi would add another 160 kilometers of range to that.
The hydrogen revolution is nearing. Thanks to contributors such as Ford, Ballard, and yes, ever rising gasoline prices, hydrogen power will soon rock the automotive industry. Today, I drove the future, in the form of a Ford. But with the ability to plug in the vehicle to a standard power outlet, this is no "conventional" hydrogen hybrid.
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| HySeries Edge looks great with 22" Land Rover wheels and grey cladding. |
The Edge, from Ford, has contributed in breathing new life into the once decaying brand, first with the power of gasoline, and now hydrogen. Known as the HySeries Edge, this one-of-a-kind Edge Hybrid is becoming a bargain with our rising dollar at $2.2 million US. If you cannot wait the 7-10 expected years before you can go to your local dealer to buy one, Ford's Escape gas/electric hybrid is on sale now.
Below the floor and flat in the middle of the HySeries Edge lays a water-heater-sized hydrogen storage tank--tubular in shape for efficient high pressure storage. 4.5 kilograms of hydrogen are stored at 5,000 psi. Due to the position of the tank, Ford's hybrid powertrain is better suited to taller vehicles. On one side of the tank sit 130 kW lithium ion batteries, which can be charged by a 35 kW fuel cell on the other side of the tank.
The fuel cell is care of a Burnaby B.C. company called Ballard, and was also produced in cooperation with the late Daimler-Chrysler. This technology has been purchased by Honda, Hyundai, Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, and Shanghai Powertrain. Ballard also produces fuel cells for busses, with their new Mk 1100 series powering fleets for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. Ballard, which has already tackled (Canadian-level) cold weather starting, says their biggest challenge in getting this technology to market is lowering cost, and increasing durability.
Electric motors front and rear on the HySeries Edge drive all four wheels--and all 22 inches of Land Rover-sourced rims at each corner. On a full charge, the motors are powered solely by battery power for the first 40 kilometers. This depletes about 60% of the battery's capacity, at which time the fuel cell provides an extra 320 kilometers. Ford says that storage of the hydrogen at 10,000 psi would add another 160 kilometers of range to that.
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| The battery and the fuel cell provide the HySeries Edge with a 360-kilometer range. |