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Fuel Cell Vehicles Brew Coffee, Not Pollution

26 January 1999

Fuel Cell Vehicles Brew Coffee, Not Pollution, Says Automotive Research Scientist

    WARRENDALE, Pa., Jan. 26 -- On-board coffeemakers, 110/220-
volt plug-ins for power tools, programmable climate-control systems that
eliminate entering hot cars in summer and cold ones in winter...these are just
a few features that car owners may one day enjoy thanks to fuel cell
technology.
    Fuel cells, electrochemical devices that convert energy directly into
electricity without combustion, produce electricity, heat and water, but no
pollution.  Because a fuel cell car is an electrical power generator, it
provides a substantial amount of power at any time.  The vehicles' high power
voltage allow designers to stretch their imaginations and offer unconventional
options such as coffeemakers.
    Despite major investments by automakers in the new technology, questions
remain.  Opportunities and challenges of fuel cells will be discussed in
several presentations during the 1999 SAE International Congress & Exposition,
March 1-4, Detroit, Michigan.
    Ken Dircks of Ballard Automotive Inc. says that we stand at the threshold
of a new era in alternative propulsion.  In SAE paper (1999-01-0534), "Recent
Advances in Fuel Cells for Transportation Applications," he addresses recent
developments by Ballard Power Systems and discusses global alliances, formed
to bring fuel cell vehicles to market by 2004.
    Philip Pindo Mok, DaimlerChrysler, and Andre Martin, Ballard Automotive
GmbH, are also optimistic.  In SAE paper (1999-01-0320), "Automotive Fuel
Cells: Clean Power for Tomorrow's Vehicles," they say fuel cells offer an
entirely new approach.  They argue today's fuel cell concept vehicles display
comparable performance as conventional cars, but offer environmental benefits
not possible with internal combustion engines.
    Industry experts such as Richard K. Stobart, Cambridge Consultants, have
questions about the new technology.  In SAE paper (1999-01-0321), "Fuel Cell
Power for Passenger Cars: What Barriers Remain?" Stobart says that in spite of
major investments in fuel cell technology, questions remain.  What will a fuel
cell engine consist of?  What will be the preferred fuel source, and will it
be readily available?  Will consumers accept the vehicles?
    The SAE Congress, the world's largest showcase of automotive engineering
technologies.  The event, which runs March 1-4, features more than
1,100 exhibiting companies, including 90 percent of the world's top
25 suppliers.
    For further information or to register for SAE Congress, call
1-877-SAE-CONG (723-2664); outside U.S./Canada, 1-724-772-4027; or visit
http://www.sae.org.