Whoever thought that fuel cell cars had fallen by the wayside due to the emergence of electric vehicles, may be interested to hear about renewed interest in the market.

According to a new paper from Pike Research, the total size of the hydrogen and fuel cell market will reach $785million in 2012 with a re-emergence of interest in fuel cell electric vehicles sparking the revival due to the limitations of battery electric cars.

The report states that there has been disappointment in the price of battery electric cars and with adoption rates low, 2012 may spark a return in fuel cell electric vehicles. Much of the interest is set to come from regions that have shown commitment to hydrogen infrastructure – including Germany, Denmark, the UK and Europe in general.

However, it does suggest that there will not be a significant increase in the number of fuel cell electric vehicles on the road this year, with demonstration trial vehicles unlikely to be introduced.

It goes on to state that a commercial rollout in 2015 will rely on a number of new hydrogen refuelling stations being opened.

The UK it states, is indicative of this revival in interest thanks to the launch of UKH2Mobility.

UK firm, Intelligent Energy has joined Suzuki in launching a new venture company for the development of fuel cell systems.

The new venture company called Smile FC System Corporations will focus on the advancement and manufacture of air-cooled fuel cell systems for application in a range of industry sectors. The joint venture also includes a non-exclusive license agreement that gives Suzuki access to Intelligent Energy’s class-leading fuel cell technology for its next generation of environmentally friendly fuel cell vehicles.

Having already jointly proved the application of fuel cells in the zero emissions Suzuki Burgman scooter -which became the world’s first fuel cell vehicle to achieve European Whole Vehicle Type Approval- the new deal aims to help widen the use of Intelligent Energy’s systems in a cost-effective manner.

Under the terms of the contract, both companies will take a 50 per cent stake in the joint venture, with Suzuki’s executive vice president Mr. Osamu Honda heading the new company which will be e headquartered in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, Japan.

“Suzuki Motor Corporation has been developing fuel cell vehicles with Intelligent Energy since 2006, and this successful relationship has led to the formation of SMILE FC System Corporation,” explained Mr. Honda. “I believe that we can accelerate the commercialisation of fuel cell vehicles through this joint venture with Intelligent Energy.”

The agreement represents good value for both parties, enabling Suzuki cost-effective access to Intelligent Energy’s advanced fuel cell technology through partnering and licensing, thereby avoiding the higher costs associated with in-house development. In return Intelligent Energy will benefit from Suzuki’s production and motor industry expertise and emerging supply chain to develop the next generation of automotive standard air-cooled fuel cell systems.

The US state of California has been leading the way in terms of environmental movements – and now the potential success of its efforts has been revealed.

According to a report from the California Council on Science and Technology, total travel demand in the state is expected to increase between 50 per cent and 100 per cent from 2005 to 2050 due to population growth and other factors such as increasing travel demand per capita. However, the same report also suggests that total transportation energy demand in the state could be reduced by 30 per cent over the same period thanks to improvements in vehicle efficiency including the use of plug-in electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.   

The study, entitled California’s Energy Future – Transportation Energy Use in California, focuses on two main alternative scenarios involving plug-in electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles.

It suggests that plug-in electric vehicle adoption will be hampered by factors such as cost, but as battery costs fall the market will move beyond early adopters. Hybrid vehicles are expected to become the dominant type of new car sold – exceeding 50 per cent in 2030 – while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles will grow to become on quarter of the new car market by the same year. 

Meanwhile, fuel cell vehicles are expected to be commercially introduced in California in 2015 at low volume and in limited markets. However, there will be rapid sales growth for fuel cell vehicles between 2020 and 2030 as new manufacturers begin building the vehicles. Indeed under its realistic scenario, by 2030, 20 per cent of new vehicles will be fuel cell vehicles, 12 per cent plug-in electric vehicles and 67 per cent hybrids – with petrol vehicles no longer sold.

The pressure is on the US to increase its spending in energy research, development, demonstration and deployment – after a report from the Belfer Center at Harvard Kennedy School suggested it needed to leap from 2009 levels to $10billion a year.

As part of an analysis of seven technology areas, the Belfer Center team looked at the vehicle segment and recommended an average of $2.05billion a year in vehicle research, development and demonstration spending. On average the experts recommended just more than 35 per cent of their recommended budgets to basic and applied research; and 20 per cent to experiments and prototypes.  

The areas with the greatest focus were: lithium-ion batteries; novel concepts for energy storage; ultracapacitors; battery manufacturing processes; hydrogen storage; and electronic controls.

Overall however, each expert did not agree whether costs would increase or decrease for five drivetrains from 2010-2030 with or without their recommended budget:

- Advanced internal combustion engines: One expert estimated vehicle costs would decrease through 2030 under business as usual funding. At recommended budget levels, experts predicted modest median cost reductions of zero-five per cent below their predicted cost of advanced internal combustion engine vehicles. Fuel economy would increase from four-14mpg.  

- Hybrid cars: The recommended research development and demonstration would reduce costs zero-three per cent. Fuel economy would increase by an additional zero-eight mpg with increased research and development.

- Plug-in hybrid cars: Recommendations could lower costs from one-nine per cent while increasing fuel economy by 0-11mpg.

- Battery electric cars: As with plug-in hybrid cars. However, due to the large displacement on how costs could change, even the most optimistic expert estimated his/her recommended budget would reduce median estimated plug-in hybrid vehicle costs 14 per cent and battery electric costs 23 per cent. The additional budgets could improve electric range by 10-45miles.  

- Hydrogen fuel cell cars: Experts agreed that recommendations could reduce vehicle costs by one-31 per cent while improving hydrogen efficiency six-24 per cent.

The fourth Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Drive ‘n’ Ride takes place today and tomorrow (November 22 and 23) in Brussels.

Organised by Daimler, Linde, Honda, Intelligent Energy, Opel and Toyota to demonstrate the real-world environmental benefits that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can offer. More than 100 European Union officials, members of the European Parliament and other high-level stakeholders will have the opportunity to experience the reality of clean technology by driving or riding in one of the eight fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on display in AutoWorld Museum at Parc du Cinquantenaire.

In addition, for the first time in Brussels, a fully mobile and compact hydrogen station, provided by Linde and Daimler, will demonstrate the refuelling process for a hydrogen car and a high-level panel debate will give indursty .

To highlight the reality of bringing hydrogen and FCEVs to the market, the Drive ‘n’ Ride will feature a high-level panel debate on 22 November. Industry representatives and policy makers will discuss how to hit the market in time to reach EU 2020 strategic targets.

So far, a lack of refuelling infrastructure for hydrogen cars remains a crucial challenge for the market. So far, there are approximately 200 fuel stations worldwide (with some 70 being publically accessible) at which fuel cell vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen.

In Europe it is expected that the first fuel cell cars could hit the market from 2014 onwards, with Daimler planning to be among the first to go into production with a hydrogen-powered model.

“Economic and environmental uncertainties are high in Europe today. Clean and energy efficient technologies such as market ready fuel cell and hydrogen pave the way towards the transformation of our fossil-fuel based economies to a more diverse and energy secure future whilst contributing to a sustainable economic recovery. Only a joint effort of Member States, the EU and the private sector today will put these cars on the road as of 2014”, says the panel’s key speaker, Henri Winand, Chief Executive Officer of Intelligent Energy.

Carmakers participating in the Drive ‘n’ Ride emphasise that in the current economic situation, only public-private partnerships can create the stable framework needed to bridge the gap to full commercialisation. According to the EU, clean technologies offer huge commercial opportunities and a market for innovative transport technologies of €300 billion in 2020 (up from €200 billion today).

There will be plenty of exciting new concepts on display at the Tokyo Motor Show – but Toyota may well steal the show with its latest offering.

The Japanese carmaker will use the show, on its home turf, to unveil the Toyota FCV-R, a next generation hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle planned for launch in 2015.

Among its features is a fuel cell unit that is located beneath the body so that the saloon style vehicle can accommodate up to four passengers and offer plenty of luggage space. The fuel cell system includes a 70MPa high pressure hydrogen tank with a cruising distance of 435miles.

In addition, Toyota will introduce four other concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show:

- Toyota Aqua: An affordable hybrid car, the Toyota Aqua has fuel efficiency of 82mpg. Its body is less than four metres long, helping the vehicle to offer outstanding handling and enhanced aerodynamic performance. It has a 1.5litre engine with a high output motor and is scheduled for launch in Japan in December, before being rolled out worldwide.

- Toyota FT-EV II: An electric car with an ultra compact package making it well suited to short trips, the Toyota FT-EV II should be deployed in 2012. It includes a lithium-ion battery and achieves an estimated cruising range of 65miles.

- Toyota Fun-Vii: A concept that previews a future where cars, people and society are linked.

- A prototype model of a compact rear-wheel drive vehicle that has been jointly developed with Fuji Heavy Industries.

With the 2012 London Olympic Games edging closer, a new project has introduced 15 hydrogen powered London black cabs and five hydrogen powered Suzuki Bergmann scooters into the city.

The vehicles will be funded by the HyTEC project, which is partly funded by the Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, and will also see an Air Products hydrogen fuelling station introduced in the nation’s capital. There are already two hydrogen fuelling stations in operation in the city to support London’s hydrogen bus fleet.

Both the introduction of the vehicles and the refuelling site is considered part of the Mayor of London’s efforts to promote zero and low emission technologies with London already boasting the UK’s only zero emission bus route running with a fleet of hydrogen buses.

The HyTEC consortium is made up of 16 members from five different countries including:  Air Products Plc, UK;  Element Energy Ltd, UK;  HyRAMP, Belgium; LTI Vehicles, UK; Centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies (CENEX), UK; Greater London Authority, UK; hySOLUTIONS GmbH, Germany; MATGAS 2000 AIE, Spain; LBST, Germany; Copenhagen Hydrogen Network, Denmark; City of Copenhagen, Denmark; Hydrogen Link, Denmark; Intelligent Energy Ltd, UK; BAA Ltd, UK; London Bus Services Ltd (TfL), UK; Fraunhofer, Germany. It is expected that a network of fuelling stations will also be introduced in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The UK’s first open access hydrogen refuelling station has officially been opened in Swindon. Located at Honda’s manufacturing plant the facility is operated by industrial gases company BOC.

Officially open to anyone using a hydrogen-powered car, demand isn’t anticipated to be high – you can’t buy a hydrogen powered car just yet. But that hasn’t stopped Honda, BOC and Forward Swindon in investing in the station.

Familiar in design to a normal petrol station, the fill time is comparable with conventional fuels, with the Honda FCX Clarity taking around 5 minutes to refuel, no news as to whether you can also buy some overpriced chocolate and fizzy pop though.

Speaking at the opening of the facility, Richard Kemp-Harper, Lead Technologist for Transport and Energy at the Technology Strategy Board, said: “The change from conventional transport systems to sustainable, low carbon alternatives is one that can only be made through businesses and government working in partnership to develop innovative solutions. This new refuelling station gives a real glimpse of the role hydrogen can play in practice. It is a great example of the kind of collaboration and innovation we need.”

Mike Huggon, Managing Director of BOC in the UK and Ireland, said: “This is the first commercial-scale, open-access station in the UK. It demonstrates that we can build the infrastructure needed to establish a hydrogen-powered transport system. But even with private and public support – as we have here in Swindon – we need Government commitment to make this work across the country as a whole. We can provide the tools but the Government has to create the policy framework in which we can build the low carbon infrastructure of tomorrow.”

Ian Piper, Chief Executive of economic development company Forward Swindon, said: “I’m proud that we have been involved in such an exciting public-private partnership. Forward Swindon was the initiator of this project and brought together the funding: it’s a great example of how innovative projects can come to life in the UK, even in a recession. Swindon’s strategic location makes it the natural home for new transport technologies, and I’m confident this facility will encourage a growing interest and take up.”

Thomas Brachmann, Head of Electrical Powertrain R&D at Honda, commented: “Hydrogen fuel cell technology is the ultimate transport solution; meeting environmental demands but also delivering the range and performance that customers expect. The cooperation on this project between vehicle manufacturers like Honda, infrastructure providers like BOC and the public sector can be a blueprint for future development.”

Good news or a publicity stunt? Let us know your views in the comments box below.

By Alisdair Suttie

‘Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed hydrogen power and has made it happen in California,’ says Dr Andrew Cruden, driving force behind the World Hydrogen Technologies Convention (WHTC) in Glasgow. Dr Cruden continues: ‘We may not have an Arnie in the UK, but we do need politicians and decision makers to get behind hydrogen as a fuel if we want to have a sustainable energy future for cars.’

Fuel cell future

This thinking is not just based on the stark realities that fossil fuels will not last forever in sufficient quantities to support current demand, it’s also based on clear economic thinking and existing partnerships. Dr Cruden knows that what is happening in California, and Japan to a similar extent, could also take place in the UK with the help of Honda.

Honda has one of the very few production-built hydrogen-powered cars in its FCX Clarity, which was present at the WHTC. The Japanese firm has swung its considerable engineering and technological weight behind the hydrogen fuel campaign in the USA, supplying 40 FCXs to drivers in California as pioneers for this fuel.

Kate Saxton, Government Affairs and Environment Manager of Honda UK, comments: ‘There’s no reason at all why Honda would not offer the same support to the UK as we’ve provided elsewhere. The success of hydrogen is growing and we can see examples of this in Germany where more filling stations are being built.’

Even with this growth, hydrogen as a sustainable, green fuel still plays second fiddle to the poster boy of clean energy: electricity. However, the reality is hydrogen has the potential to offer much greater flexibility and longer ranges than battery-powered vehicles, yet it retains all of the advantages of pure electric propulsion.

On the road

A prime example of this is the Honda FCX Clarity, which we took for a test drive in and around Glasgow during the WHTC gathering. Looking every inch the sleek saloon, the FCX does not have to make any compromises to accommodate its clever propulsion system. It’s a bespoke design and is partly hand-built on the same production line Honda used to make its NSX supercar, so you can rest assured the FCX is thoroughly engineered.

Honda is also quick to point out the FCX Clarity is a production car, albeit in limited numbers, and it has to meet all of the safety and crash tests any other car is subject to. For the record, the FCX passed all with flying colours and the hydrogen storage tank is every bit as safe and secure as an internal combustion-powered car’s petrol tank.

The large 171-litre hydrogen tank does pinch a bit of boot space in the FCX to gain sufficient capacity to allow the car a useful tank range. On a single fill, the FCX can be expected to travel 270 miles, though Honda insiders tell us this is a very conservative figure to allow for differing driving styles and conditions.

Filling the FCX with hydrogen takes around four minutes, so it’s much the same as for a standard petrol- or diesel-engined car. This is another reason Honda and Dr Cruden both believe hydrogen is a more likely candidate as a replacement for fossil fuels because it works in a much more familiar way for existing car owners than battery-powered cars.

With the tank topped up, we head out into Glasgow. Starting the FCX is as straightforward as any other car, a normal ignition key priming the car and the dash illuminating to let the driver know it’s all system go. Selecting drive with the lever mounted to the right-hand side of the dash pod is also easy and intuitive, especially to anyone who has tried the latest generation of Honda Insight.

Using an automatic gearbox, and with all of the instant low-down shove and torque offered by an electric motor, the FCX pulls away cleanly and with a surprisingly forceful urge. There’s 189lb.ft of shove on offer from the 100kW (129bhp) motor, so getting up to speed in town and on the motorway is no problem, the FCX easily keeping pace with traffic.

What is different to the cars surrounding us as we make our way clear of Glasgow’s centre is the lack of mechanical noise. As there’s no combustion engine, there’s no noise from under the bonnet and nor is there any exhaust noise. The only sounds on offer are the occasional sigh and whirr from the electric motor and hydrogen fuel cell.

As the FCX drives, the hydrogen stored in the car’s fuel tank is converted into electricity by the fuel cell stack. Hydrogen ions are formed by a platinum electrode that then releases electrons to form a direct current of electricity. The hydrogen ions then pass through a one-way membrane where they bond with oxygen and electrons, leaving a supply of electricity and water as the only waste product. Consequently, the Honda not only works as a zero emissions vehicle, its by product is completely harmless to the environment.

Hydrogen can be created by bio-mass, natural gas reformation or electrolysis using photovoltaic, water or wind sources to provide the electricity required. As such, it is possible for hydrogen to be produced in a wholly sustainable way, which is why Dr Cruden and others are so keen to promote hydrogen as a more realistic alternative to fossil fuels instead of battery-powered vehicle being seen as the only game in town.

On our way out of town, the FCX gathers pace easily, its 1625kg weight being comparable to the average family saloon. In every way, this is just how the Honda feels, offering the same ride comfort and bump absorption as the likes of Honda’s own Accord or a Ford Mondeo. It really is that good in the FCX Clarity and makes you wonder why Honda doesn’t just offer this model across the globe to force governments and fuel suppliers into building more hydrogen filling stations.

As well as the comfort, the FCX is easy to drive thanks to light steering and good cornering grip. It feels stable and secure at high speed, mixing with late afternoon traffic with calm efficiency. The only minor downside is the FCX’s styling has an upsweep to the side window line that makes over-the-shoulder vision slightly limited, so you need an extra glance in the door mirrors before committing to a lane change.

This is a very minor gripe, however, and the FCX Clarity acquits itself more than admirably during our test drive. The seamless transmission makes it relaxing, the lack of mechanical, wind and road noise adds to the sense of harmony, and there is none of the range anxiety experienced in the likes of the Nissan Leaf. Put your foot down hard in the Leaf and you notice a consequent drop in range whereas the FCX still has plenty in reserve. Only the Vauxhall Ampera/Chevrolet Volt twins can rival the Honda FCX Clarity on this score, yet neither of these two are zero emissions, so the Honda has the upper hand here.

Challenges ahead

The only area where the Honda doesn’t have the upper hand, it would seem, is the near complete lack of a hydrogen infrastructure in the UK. There are promises of more in and around London and Honda has just opened a new filling point at its Swindon factory. However, until the UK is better served with hydrogen filling stations, the Honda FCX Clarity is let down not by any fault of its own but by a poor network of filling stations.

As Dr Cruden comments: ‘There’s a certain amount of chicken and egg with hydrogen filling stations. Until there’s more demand, we won’t see more filling points, but without a better infrastructure it’s hard for drivers to use a hydrogen-fuelled car. This is why we need government, car makers and fuel suppliers to pull together. With a coordinated effort, the UK could replace oil with hydrogen, not only as a fuel for our own needs, but as an export.’

When looked at in these terms, it’s hard not to be impressed by the science and engineering on show at the World Hydrogen Technologies Convention. Drive the Honda FCX Clarity and it becomes even clearer that hydrogen should, and must, form a part of the motoring future. Let’s just hope we don’t have to wait for Arnie Schwarzenegger to make a reappearance as The Terminator before this happens.

Fresh from its appearance at Ecovelocity last week, the FCX Clarity is now making a star appearance in Scotland, appearing at the World Hydrogen Technologies Conference in Glasgow.

One of only a handful of series production hydrogen fuel cars in the world, the Honda-made car became the very first such car to enter production back in 2008. Currently available on a limited lease programme in the US and Japan, the car will now appear in Glasgow between September 14 and 18th, as the conference explores the future of a hydrogen economy.

Welcoming more than 150 leading hydrogen experts from around the world, the conference’s major theme this year is ‘Renewables to Hydrogen’ exploring the opportunities to create a clean, sustainable hydrogen economy from the many forms of available renewable energy. This is particularly relevant to Scotland and  to the UK, given the substantial wind, wave and tidal resources available.

The conference was opened by Fergus Ewing, Scotland’s Minister of Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, (pictured) who fully endorsed the drive to renewable energy and cleaner fuels.

The Honda FCX Clarity works like an electric car with hydrogen creating the electric on-board through a ‘fuel cell stack’. The stack creates electricity from a reaction between hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen. This reaction produces only one emission; pure water which comes out of the tailpipe in the form of vapour. If hydrogen can be produced for commercial use from clean sources such as wind power then cars such as the Honda FCX Clarity can truly become zero harmful emissions.

Hydrogen cars depend on a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure however, currently absent in the UK.  In response to this, Honda, in cooperation with BOC and Forward Swindon- are launching the UK’s first public hydrogen refuelling station, just off the M4, at Honda’s Swindon car plant, on September 20.