Hyundai ix35 fuel cell vehicle to be demoed

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/car-tech/1286935/hyundai-ix35-fuel-cell-vehicle-to-be-demoed

Hyundai ix35 fuel cell vehicle to be demoed

Posted on 1 Sep 2011 at 10:45

Hyundai has confirmed that its ix35 Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle - also known as the ix35 FCEV - will be getting its UK début at the EcoVelocity show next week.

The Hyundai ix35 FCEV is a variation on the electric vehicle, where the power for the motor comes not from a bank of batteries charged from the mains but from a clean hydrogen fuel cell with water vapour as its only emission.

The ix35 is Hyundai's third-generation fuel-cell vehicle, and promises a driving range from a single hydrogen fill of around 360 miles, a maximum speed of 100mph, and a 0-62mph time of 12.8 seconds. For use in colder climates, the fuel-cell stack is able to operate at temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius.

"We are extremely excited to be showcasing the ix35 FCEV in the UK for the first time at EcoVelocity," said Hyunda UK managing director Tony Whitehorn. "Hyundai is a world leader in the development of hydrogen-powered technology and is constantly researching and developing modes of transportation that use alternative fuels at the Eco-technology research institute in Mabuk, Korea.

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(-25°C = -13°F)



http://www.thecarelectric.com/content/electric-cars-in-cold-climates.php

How do Electric Cars operate in Cold Weather Climates?

Written by Bryan Johannsen

When you live in an area that gets extremely cold during the winter purchasing any car is not as simple a task as it is in warmer areas. Cold batteries won't turn over the engine, engine coolant can freeze and so on.

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All batteries deliver their power via a chemical reaction inside the battery that releases electrons. When the temperature drops the chemical reactions happen more slowly and the battery cannot produce the same current that it can at room temperature. A change of ten degrees can sap 50% of a battery's output. In some situations the chemical reactions will happen so slowly and give so little power that the battery will appear to be dead when in fact if it is warmed up it will go right back to normal output.

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In a car where all power is supplied by a battery pack you can see where this would be a problem. The batteries don't produce as much power so the car has less power. The batteries also have to work harder so the effective range of the car is also significantly reduced. Charge time will also be longer, cold has a negative impact on all aspects of battery operation.

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If you live in an area where the winters get extremely cold an all electric vehicle will have to be garaged and equipped with some kind of plug-in battery warmer for it to be effective in the coldest months of the year. Keep these thoughts in mind if you're planning an electric car purchase, we don't want you finding out the range of your car has been halved when it's five below zero and you're fifteen miles from home.

[TheWraith]

1. The reduced performance of batteries in cold weather is GREATLY exaggerated.

Tests performed on actual electric vehicles show that the performance loss is minimal at best.

As far as fuel cells go, I remain a bit skeptical. The logistical problems of manufacturing the hydrogen fuel, storing it, transferring it to the vehicle, storing it in the vehicle without major losses, and then using it efficiently, are a lot to overcome. In the meantime, a few advances in lithium-ion batteries could expand their range considerably, making fuel cells vastly less attractive.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Please note

The above description, “How do Electric Cars operate in Cold Weather Climates?” comes from a web site which advocates electric cars.

http://www.hybridcars.com/news/nissan-announces-improvements-2012-2013-leaf-models-30409.html

Nissan To Improve 2012, 2013 LEAFs

Published July 14, 2011

By Jeff Cobb

Unless they are kept in warm climates, leaves tend to wither in the cold. Although this is a truism in nature, it took a cold season in America for Nissan to quietly show it has learned this lesson applies also to its electric car known as the LEAF.

Specifically, Nissan recently announced changes to its pending 2012 as well as 2013 LEAF models that will include more heat for the occupants, and perhaps more importantly, for the battery.

All 2012 LEAFs will come standard with a thermal management package to help warm the battery for cold weather driving.

Last winter reports were that ambient cold in snow belt states was ebbing the life from possible driving range for LEAFs by as much as 30 miles. Lithium-ion batteries do not like extreme temperatures, and prefer moderate climates.

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Only time will tell what future transportation uses. I wouldn’t be surprised to see multiple technologies used (as strengths and weaknesses are balanced for different applications.)

[TheWraith]

3. It's my experience that supporting hybrids is not supporting EVs.

More to the point, that many of the enthusiastic supporters of hybrids and fuel cell cars do NOT support pure EVs, for whatever reason. But there is a large supply of articles supposedly from supporters of such vehicles bashing EVs, and spreading unrealistic claims about their performance both in practical terms and in how eco-friendly they are.

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Back to the OP…

http://www.thecarelectric.com/