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Ford Study Confirms Cost Competitiveness, Mileage Benefit of Fuel Cell Engines

11 December 1997

Ford Study Confirms Cost Competitiveness, Mileage Benefit of Fuel Cell Engines

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- A new study by Ford Motor Company
concludes that zero emission fuel cell engines will deliver on their
promise of substantial energy efficiency gains and also compete on price with
conventional engines when produced in quantity.  A Ford Econoline van
operating on a fuel cell could be expected to achieve 32 to 34 miles per
gallon without any other energy efficiency improvements, the study concluded.
EPA estimates the Econoline currently achieves 11 to 14 mpg in city driving.
    The study determined that a fuel cell engine can be mass produced for $37
to $71 per kilowatt, well within the range needed to compete with today's
internal combustion engines.
    "This study is only the latest confirmation of the ability of fuel cell
vehicles to meet the energy and air quality needs of our society and the needs
of the marketplace as well," said Robert Rose, executive director of Fuel
Cells 2000, an independent nonprofit organization.  "And it ought to help ease
international anxiety over the cost of responding to global climate change.
This evaluation of fuel cell vehicles is indeed comforting -- better
efficiency, zero emissions, better range, and affordability."
    Ford's study also examined the feasibility of a battery-augmented fuel
cell vehicle system, concluding the hybrid "appears to be as feasible as the
packaging of the pure fuel cell powered vehicle," even taking into
consideration trade-offs between battery and fuel cell weight, volume and
cost.
    For the study, Ford developed computer models of fuel cell powered Aspire,
AIV Sable and Econoline vehicles run on hydrogen stored on board the vehicle.
Fuel efficiencies up to 75.7 miles per gallon were estimated, more than double
the current fuel efficiencies of all three vehicles, even before any
additional fuel economy measures were factored in.
    Ford concludes that fuel cell vehicles -- with or without a battery -- are
equally feasible and will have roughly the same overall efficiencies and
capabilities.

    In related news:
    -- Daimler-Benz announced in Kyoto last week that it would price its fuel
       cell car "similarly" to gasoline-powered cars;
    -- Mazda announced the development of the Demio FCEV (fuel cell electric
       vehicle), based on the company's small station wagon;
    -- BMW AG announced it would start up a hydrogen vehicle demonstration
       sometime next year at a Munich airport.

    For more information contact Fuel Cells 2000, 202-785-9620.

SOURCE  Fuel Cells 2000