Between 1990 and 1998 the hydrogen cars that were being developed
were mainly from DaimlerChrysler, GM, BMW, Mazda and Musashi. Virginia
Tech had a hydrogen car that won the Future Car Challenge and a
fuel cell taxi was introduced into London.
1990 - 1998
The 1998 GM Opel Zafira fuel cell
minivan was introduced that year at the Paris Motor Show as
the first drivable fuel cell concept vehicle. The GM Opel Zafira
fuel cell minivan contains two 25 kw PEM fuel cells and used
methanol with an onboard reformer.
The 1998 Virginia Tech University
Animul H2 is a converted 1997 Chevy Lumina that won the 1998
FutureCar Challenge even without the fuel cell (delayed in receiving
it for the challenge). The Virginia Tech University Animul H2
was a hybrid vehicle that eventually had the fuel cell installed
and ran off compressed hydrogen gas.
The 1998 Zevco Taxi was demonstrated
in London that year and had a 5 kw alkaline fuel cell that charged
its batteries, which in turn, powered the wheels of the car.
Belgium's Zevco Millennium Taxi used one of the least expensive
vehicle fuel cells at the time costing around $15,000.
The 1998 BMW 728hL was a forerunner
to the BMW 750hl. The BMW 728hL was powered by liquid hydrogen
running in an internal combustion engine.
The 1998 GM Opel Sintra was first
unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show that year. The GM Opel Sintra
used a 50 kw PEM fuel cell and was fueled by methanol with onboard
reformer.
The 1998 GM EV1 Fuel Cell vehicle
was based upon the all-electric EV1 automobile. The fuel cell
was added as a range extender to bring the EV1 to 300 miles.
The GM EV1 Fuel Cell was a hybrid that was fueled by methanol
with an onboard reformer and could achieve a fuel economy of
over 80 mpg.
1997
The Mazda Demio FCEV was first exhibited
at Eco Japan 97. The Mazda Demio FCEV was able to achieve a
top speed of 55 mph with a range of approximately 100 miles
per tank of compressed hydrogen gas. Using metal hydride storage
and a 20 kw PEM fuel cell, the Mazda Demio FCEV is a hybrid
using an ultracapacitor for added energy.
The Toyota FCHV-2 used aluminum in
the hood, rooftop, fenders and side doors to save weight. The
Toyota FCHV-2 uses a 25 kw fuel cell and four storage tanks
along with a methanol reformer to power the vehicle.
The DaimlerChrysler NECAR 3 uses
an onboard methanol reformer and 50 kw fuel cell to power the
vehicle. The DaimlerChrysler NECAR 3 is based on the Mercedes-Benz
A-Class and has a top speed of 72 mph.
The Renault Fever was made in collaboration
with PSA Peugeot-Citroen and is based upon the Renault Laguna
Nevada. The Renault Fever uses a 30 kw fuel cell and has a top
speed of 72 mph.
The Musashi 10 uses a 4-stroke internal
combustion engine with turbocharger to power the vehicle. The
Musashi 10 also uses liquid hydrogen and was first exhibited
in Japan in 1997 at the Kyoto COP3.
1996
The 1996 DaimlerChrysler NECAR 2
is a Mercedes-Benz V-Class 6-seat vehicle first shown in Berlin
in 1996. The DaimlerChrysler NECAR 2 had a 50 kw fuel cell system
located underneath the back seats and had a top speed of 66
mph with a top range of 150 miles.
1994
The 1994 DaimlerChrysler NECAR 1
was based upon a Mercedes-Benz transporter MB-180 van. The DaimlerChrysler
NECAR 1 (New Electric Car) uses a 50 kw fuel cell and compressed
hydrogen gas and takes up most of the vehicle saving room only
for the driver and front seat passenger.
1993
The 1993Mazda HR-X2 was first unveiled
at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show. The Mazda HR-X2 used a modified
rotary engine and compressed hydrogen gas in metal hydride storage
tanks to power the vehicle.
The Energy Partners Consulier is
a pickup truck that carries its PEM fuel cell and compressed
hydrogen tanks in the bed of the truck. The Energy Partners
Consulier has a top speed of 50 mph with a range of 200 miles.
1991
The 1991 Mazda HR-X used the company's first all aluminum
hydrogen rotary engine with ceramic seals. The Mazda HR-X
was introduced at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show and used compressed
hydrogen gas in metal hydride storage tanks.
The DaimlerChrysler Mercedes F100 was a research vehicle
that made its debut at the North American International Motor
Show in Detroit in 1991. DaimlerChrysler Mercedes F100 was
a five seat vehicle with the driver in the front middle of
the vehicle and room for 2 passengers in the rear seats and
2 in the far rears seats. Powered by a 6 cylinder engine and
compressed hydrogen gas, the DaimlerChrysler Mercedes F100
also received some electrical energy from a solar panel atop
the vehicle.
1990
The 1990 Musashi 8 is based on Nissan Z 300 and contains
a 4-stroke engine with in-cylinder injection. The Musashi
8 used a high-pressure spark ignition mechanism and liquid
hydrogen to power the vehicle.
