Hydrogen Hits the Roads

Breaking News! Fuel cell powered race car breaks speed records

The FORZE IV, a fuel cell powered formula race car, built by the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, with support of Linde Benelux, broke a fuel cell car record on August 16, 2011 in the Hague in the  Netherlands in the under 500 kg vehicle class, covering the 1/8th mile in just 10,459 seconds, beating one second off a the previous record. The Forze IV is  equipped with an in-house designed 12 kW fuel cell and ultra caps, able to boost power during 5 sec. up to 35 kW and a 28 liter, 350 bar hydrogen tank supplied by Linde Gas. The Dutch minister of Economic Affairs, Maxime Verhagen and several Dutch government officials attended the race which was held in the centre of the Hague cheered by the crowds that had fled the rain on nearby beaches.

The Forze IV is a state of the art vehicle equipped with an in-house designed fuel cell designed and built entirely by students. The hydrogen to keep the fuel cell running, supplied by Linde Gas, is stored in a 28 liter tank which can be filled up to 350 bars by using WEH refueling components refueling stations. A complete filled tank gives 600 grams of hydrogen which generates sufficient energy for the car to race for an hour.

The model was unveiled this year in June and the team has since participated in several races such as Formula Student – a worldwide competition among 500 universities. “We are the first team in this worldwide competition to race using a hydrogen fuel cell. That’s a huge technical challenge in a racing car”said the team manager Wouter Krul on the occasion.

More information at FORZE IV website.

Further Reading »

Hannover Fair FCEV Drive and Ride refuelled by green hydrogen

The FCEV and EV Drive and Ride at the Hannover Fair is a big success: long lines, even in the rain, are forming the first days of the fair for test drives . The Fair with more than 5.000 exhibitors, over half foreign, has seen an increase of exhibitors of 8%.  ”Greenintelligence” has been the fair’s theme over recent years and the clean energy and clean transport showcases are also this year very prominent. The Drive and Ride includes the VW Tuareg HyMotion, Daimler FCELL,  Honda FCX Clarity and Toyota FCHV adv and Opel  HydroGen4, who is bringing 10 FCEV to the fair.

..read more Updated 25 Apr, 2012

Danish Government to launch hydrogen Infrastructure Program & continue FCEV tax exemptions throughout 2015

The Danish Government has announced a new Energy Plan 2020 that includes establishment of a range of initiatives for hydrogen infrastructure.

..read more Updated 23 Mar, 2012

Hydrogen 3-wheeler fleet launched in New Delhi

The first fleet in the world of hydrogen fuelled 3-wheelers or rickshaws was launched inNew Delhi. It is complemented by a hydrogen refueling station established at Pragati Maidan. 

..read more Updated 15 Mar, 2012