Hydrogen cars in 2004 also saw a great spurt in development with
15 new vehicles being introduced this year. From the Chinese Chunhui
to several Japanese, German and U. S. model, the hydrogen cars showed
off exciting innovation this year.
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The Chunhui No. 3 is a small four
seat hydrogen fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle built by Shanghai's
Tongji University automotive college. The Chunhui No. 3 was
on display at the 2004 Hannover Faire in the Chinese Ministry
of Science and Technology booth. |
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The 2004 Honda FCX is a front-wheel
drive 78 kw fuel cell vehicle rated at 80 bhp. The 2004 Honda
FCX also use ultracapacitors and an AC Sychronous Electric Motor
to achieve 51/46 MPGe. |
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The 2004 Quantum Prius was actually
a modified 2002 Toyota Prius modified by Quantum Fuel Systems
of Irvine, California to run on hydrogen gas. The 2004 Quantum
Prius is a hydrogen hybrid electric vehicle with NiMH batteries
and two metal hydride storage tanks. |
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The Hummer
H2H was rolled out by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on October 14,
2004. The Hummer H2H helped LAX open the state's first retail
hydrogen fueling station. |
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The Michelin Hy-Light was unveiled
at the Challenge Bibendum 2004 and was built in conjunction
with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). The Michelin Hy-Light
can accelerate from 0 - 60 mph in 12 seconds with a top speed
of 80 mph. |
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The Kia
Sportage FCEV is a fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle from
Hyundai Motors that uses an 80 kw UTC fuel cell to power the
vehicle. The Kia Sportage FCEV employs a lightweight aluminum
body shell to cut down on the weight of the vehicle. |
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The BMW HR2
has set 9 international land-speed records for hydrogen cars.
The BMW HR2 uses a dual-fuel internal combustion engine capable
of running on either gasoline or hydrogen with the flip of the
switch. For the land-speed records the gasoline option was disabled. |
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The Volkswagen
Touran HyMotion uses a Ballard Mark 902 fuel cell and can
accelerate from 0 - 60 in approximately 14 seconds. The Volkswagen
Touran HyMotion uses a NiMH battery pack and can achieve a top
speed of 87 mph. |
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The GM
HydroGen3 is powered by a 60 kw fuel cell and is based upon
the design of the Opel Zafira MPV. With a top speed of approximately
100 mph, the GM HydroGen3 is one of the fastest hydrogen minivans
around. |
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The Ford Focus C-Max hydrogen car
debuted in Stuttgart, Germany on July 13, 2004. The Ford Focus
C-Max hydrogen car is powered by a 2.3-liter, 4 cylinder internal
combustion engine with supercharger. |
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The Audi
A2H2 combines a Ballard fuel cell with high torque electric
motor to fly from 0 - 60 mph in under 10 seconds. With a top
speed of 109 mph and a traveling range of 137 miles, the Audi
A2H2 is one of the fastest hydrogen car prototypes in recent
years. |
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The Toyota MTRC (Motor Triathlon
Race Car) combines the functionality of an off-road buggy with
a racecar. The Toyota MTRC was designed and built at Toyota's
European design studio and is powered by Toyota's fuel cell
stack along with four in-wheel electric motors. Featured in
the Gran Turismo 4 video game, the Toyota MTRC was also built
for city street circuit races. |
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The Hyundai
Tucson FCEV is a fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with
a driving range of 186 miles. The Hyundai Tucson FCEV is also
powered by 80 kw electric motors and lithium ion battery pack. |
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Three DaimlerChrysler Dodge fuel
cell Sprinters were deployed into service in 2004 in Los Angeles,
Sacramento and Ann Arbor, Michigan. The DaimlerChrysler Dodge
fuel cell Sprinter vans feature a power increase of 45-percent,
a 40-percent increase in range and a 10-percent increase in
cargo capacity. |
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The 2004 Fiat Panda
Hydrogen is a city car that uses full hybrid power was well
as hydrogen fuel cell. The Fiat Panda Hydrogen has a small battery
pack that kicks in while accelerating to add extra energy. The
vehicle as has a top speed of approximately 80 mph. |
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