Suzuki to test new SX4-FCV fuel cell vehicle on public roads.
July 4, 2008 Posted by: Faye Sunderland
Suzuki Motor Corporation has received approval from Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, to test their compact fuel cell vehicle on public roads. The vehicle is based on their compact SX4 model.
Suzuki has been developing fuel cell vehicles in partnership with General Motors (GM) since 2001. So far, it has tested three fuel cell mini vehicles on public roads with ministerial approval: the MR Wagon-FCV and Wagon R-FCV in October 2003 and the MR Wagon-FCV again in December 2004.
The SX4-FCV delivers superior running performance by means of a GM-made high-performance fuel cell, a Suzuki-developed 70MPa hydrogen tank, and a light, compact capacitor that recovers energy during brake application and uses it to reduce fuel cell loading during acceleration. Suzuki plans to test the SX4-FCV on public roads in Japan and use the results in development aimed at future commercialisation.
Fuel cell technology is still in its early stages. Honda was the first to but a fuel cell vehicle into full production when their FCX Clarity went on sale in the U.S last month. The market is still very much open and competition between major manufacturers to advance this technology is getting fiercer.
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Filed under: Hydrogen fuel, Latest news | Tags: fuel cell, hydrogen, Suzuki, SX4-FCV |
