Volvo is embarking on a new project to investigate how fuel cells can help electric cars keep going. The Swedish car maker hopes to develop two prototype vehicles based on the Volvo C30 electric ready for testing by 2012.
Backed by research from the Swedish Energy Agency, the car maker is initiating the development of a fuel cell that can extend the car’s driving range without emitting any carbon dioxide. Working together with Powercell Sweden AB, the first phase will be a preliminary study into the ‘range extending’ technology which enables a car to switch power sources when one is depleted. Such a system, as seen in the Chevrolet Volt (or Vauxhall Ampera to you and me), has been used in the past to allow a electric car to use a back-up petrol engine to power its electric motors once the battery is depleted.
In Volvo’s case the range extender will come in the form of a fuel cell with a reformer. The task of the reformer is to break down a liquid fuel, in this case petrol, and create hydrogen gas. In the fuel cell, this hydrogen gas is converted into electrical energy, which is used to power the car’s electric motor.
The technology generates electricity completely without emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) or particles. Due to the highly efficient process, emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) are significantly reduced compared with a conventional vehicle with the end products being electricity, water and a small amount of carbon dioxide. The car maker hopes that in the future the technology can be converted to use with renewable fuels.
This technology is expected to increase the electric car’s operating range by up to 250 kilometres – in addition to the range provided by the car’s battery pack. The fuel cell industry expects that the cost efficiency will improve continuously through refined technology and large-scale production.
In the next phase, pending support from the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo Cars and Powercell will produce two test cars based on the current Volvo C30 DRIVe electric. Testing of the cars will begin in 2012.
“This is an exciting expansion of our focus on electrification. Battery cost and size means that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range. Fuel cells may be one way of extending the distance these cars can cover before they need to be recharged. What is more, the project gives us increased knowledge about fuel cells and hydrogen gas,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stefan Jacoby.
“We have just taken the first steps and it is naturally too early to talk about market introduction of electric cars with Range Extenders. The industrial decision will come after we have learned more about fuel cells and the opportunities they offer,” says Stefan Jacoby.
