Chevy
Volt Fuel Cell
Although the initial rendition of the Chevy Volt was to be a gas/electric
hybrid, in April of 2007 at the Shanghai autoshow an announcement was made
that the Chevy Volt would be made available as a fuel cell/electric hybrid.
This announcement came as a shock to most of those in attendance due to
the pervasiveness and cost of fuel cell technology. However, the
E-Flex electric architecture configured with a hydrogen fuel cell
system
has
the amazing
capability
of extending
the
Volt's
range to 300 miles. GM said this version operates
all-electric from both hydrogen fuel cell-generated electricity and grid
electricity.
Chevrolet has spent considerable time and effort thinking out the under
hood design and has managed to create an engine similar in weight and
size to a standard equivalent in size to a
four-cylinder
engine with
an
automatic
transmission.
Chevrolet has not yet set a date for release of production versions of the
Volt, but it said it plans to build roughly 100 fuel cell Volts late
this year or in 2008 for testing among the general public.
In addition the limited availability of car grade hydrogen, there is
a limited willingness by fill stations to invest in pumps and facilities
required to service hydrogen based engines until there is a stronger
demand.
Did you know...
From 2004 to 2005, hybrid sales increased from 83,924 units
to 205,748 units!
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