Hydrogen cars are becoming increasingly popular as automakers are answering the call to be more energy efficient. Last week there were some posts about various initiatives, namely Norway’s HyNor and California’s hydrogen highway network, looking at how these two places were working on ways to bring hydrogen technologies to their locations. Today, I thought we’d end the month by looking at various hydrogen vehicles currently in production.
audi a2h2
Audi combines the features of a sports car with hydrogen storage tanks and an electric motor. The vehicle can operate up to 109 miles per hour and can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds. The car uses regenerative braking, which means it can recharge the battery using kinetic energy.
BMW hydrogen 7
This luxury car differs from other hydrogen vehicles in that it does not run on fuel cells. Instead, it incorporates a 12-cylinder internal combustion engine. Like the Audi mentioned above, this BMW can also go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds. Instead of compressed hydrogen, this car uses liquid hydrogen. It surpasses the Audi in speed, as its top speed reaches 143 miles per hour.
Chrysler ecoVoyager
There’s definitely a reason “eco” is included in the name of this Chrysler hydrogen vehicle. Using fuel cells, in addition to the engine’s “extended-range electric vehicle technology,” this car can go up to 300 miles before needing to refuel. Like the Audi before it, the ecoVoyager can be recharged using kinetic energy. Beating the two hydrogen vehicles mentioned above, this Chrysler hits 60 miles per hour in less than 8 seconds.
Ford F-250 Super Chief Tri-Flex Fuel Truck
While it’s not the only hydrogen vehicle made and sold by Ford, it’s worth adding this one to today’s post simply because it’s a truck. In a world dominated by hydrogen cars, this truck uses a tri-flex fueling system, allowing the owner to use traditional gasoline, E85 ethanol, or hydrogen. The driver can travel a total of 500 miles when he uses all three options during the trip.
GM HydroGen3 Minivan
GM already has quite a few hydrogen vehicles on the market. This minivan is used by FedEx in an attempt to test drive it daily. FedEx delivery happens every day, so this is an ideal setting to really see how the vehicle can perform in these conditions. Compared to previous vehicles, the HydroGen3 is definitely not a “sprinter” with its 16-second 0-60 mph speed.
suzuki ionis
Another minivan, the Suzuki Ionis features hydrogen fuel cell technology. Due to the fact that the smaller fuel cells are located under the cabin floor, the interior of the vehicle allows for more space. It offers LED lighting as well as a rounded design, giving it a very futuristic look.