HYDROGEN PROGRAM |
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Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle Program
Overview
NFCRC is currently leasing three Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles (FCHV) from Toyota Motor Sales, USA. These FCHVs are then subleased to corporate partners who objectively evaluate their performance through regular daily operation in Orange County and surrounding areas. The NFCRC program model provides an analysis opportunity for commercial use of the vehicles in a manner that facilitates objectivity (ordinary corporate drivers) yet is controlled enough to account for the special use, range and driver requirements of the vehicles.
Program Goals:
- Catalyze the initiation of hydrogen infrastructure
- Analyze driver behavior and public perceptions
- Evaluate driving/fueling logistics
- Address synergies between distributed power generation and the use of H2 as an automotive fuel
- Develop supporting information technology
Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle
The Vehicle: The FCHV is built on the Toyota Highlander platform. Key features include vehicle range of 290 kilometers (km); 155 km/hr [top of page] speed; 90 kW PEM fuel cell stack; 90 kW electric motor; 21 kW nickel-metal-hydride battery pack; 35 MPa (approximately 350 bar) hydrogen storage tanks; aluminum roof and fenders; and an air conditioning system that utilizes carbon dioxide as a refrigerant.
Program Accomplishments:
- First fuel cell vehicle delivered ever to a paying customer
- Approximately 20,000 hydrogen powered FCHV miles driven as of the end of April, 2006
- Priceless, objective customer feedback regarding FCHV attributes provided to Toyota
- Hundreds of people educated about hydrogen and fuel cell powered automobiles at NFCRC meetings, conferences and open houses
Left to right: Atsushi Horiba, President, Horiba Ltd.
Scott Samuelsen, Director, National Fuel Cell Research Center, UC Irvine
Alan Lloyd, Secretary, Cal EPA
Jim Press, President, Toyota
"FCHV 3"
delivered to Horiba Company
Gregg Kelly, President of Orthodyne Electronics, in "FCHV 1"
City of Irvine Mayor Beth Krom with "FCHV 7"
Date |
Event |
December 2002 |
FCHV 1 delivered to NFCRC - first fuel cell vehicle delivered to a paying customer |
December 2002 |
FCHV 1 provided to Orthodyne Electronics - FCHV program is launched |
January 2003 |
UCI Hydrogen Fueling Station commissioned to support FCHV Program |
December 2003 |
FCHV 3 delivered to NFCRC |
March 2004 |
FCHV 3 provided to Horiba Ltd. - FCHV Program is expanded |
May 2005 |
FCHV 1 replaced with FCHV 6 (311) for evaluation of latest generation vehicle by Orthodyne Electronics |
August 2005 |
FCHV 7 provided to City of Irvine - FCHV program is expanded to include a municipality and now includes three vehicles |
November 2005 |
FCHV 16, first next generation FCHV, delivered to NFCRC |
January 2006 |
FCHV 16 provided to City of Irvine |
February 2006 |
FCHV 17, second next generation FCHV, delivered to NFCRC |
April 2006 |
FCHV 17 provided to Horiba Ltd. |
September 2006 |
FCHV 18 delivered to NFCRC |
FCHV Program Milestones