Ford Edge Concept – with HySeries Drive
By admin in Future Cars on September 8th, 2009
The Ford Edge with HySeries Drive was the world’s first fuel cell plug-in hybrid. The Ford Edge HySeries combines a hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium-ion batteries to give customers improved fuel economy.
In the first tests, the Ford Edge was able to obtain 41 miles per gallon in combined city/highway fuel economy with zero emissions. In fact, the only emission that the Edge concept produced is water. If individuals drive less than 50 miles each day, the average fuel economy increases to over 80 miles per gallon.
There are different types of hybrids available. The current production solutions combine gasoline internal combustions with electric motors. Other technologies, such has hydrogen fuel cells, are longer-term options that may allow for even greater fuel economy savings than the current gasoline engine/electric motor hybrids.
The HySeries Drive in the Ford Edge concept is 50% smaller, lighter, and lower in complexity than conventional fuel cell systems. It also offers more than double the life of the fuel cell stack. The vehicle has 250 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle’s top speed is 88 miles per hour.
The Edge concept is powered by a 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack at all times. The first 25 mile of each journey is completed on stored electricity. Then, the fuel cell begins to operate to keep the battery charged. The total range for the vehicle is 225 miles. The Edge is the first hydrogen vehicle to have a range that approaches a traditional combustion engine. The battery pack can also be charged by plugging in the on board charger into a standard home outlet.
Fuel cell vehicles are currently very expensive mainly because of the cost of the lithium-ion batteries. In addition, for hydrogen vehicles to become a viable alternative for customers the fuel cell reliability will have to be improved and the infrastructure to be able to supply hydrogen to customers will have to be implemented.
Ford claims that the Ford Edge with HySeries Drive will be available for 2015 for fleet use. However, if you want one now, their prototype concept vehicle cost approximately $1 million.
