Motoring - Si, mama, no battery! Fiat goes fuel-cell direct

Si, mama, no battery! Fiat goes fuel-cell direct

February 14, 2006

The Fiat Panda Hydrogen prototype is the result of a joint venture between Fiat, the Italian research and environment ministries and top component suppliers - most of them Italian.

It was developed, says Fiat, to safeguard the environment while offering performance and interior space on a par with conventional vehicles.

The Panda Hydrogen, unlike previous fuel-cell prototypes, uses a "full power" system. There's no battery – the fuel cells deliver all the power required by the electric motor.

The system is based on fuel cells made by Italian-American fuel-cell specialist Nuvera with a turbo-blower to supply the cells with air, a cooling system to deal with the exhaust gases (superheated steam!) and auxiliary components developed within the Fiat group
There's no battery – the fuel cells deliver all the power required by the electric motor
.

The fuel cells, each made up of a number of smaller cells connected in series, are housed under the floor. Inside them a catalyst forces hydrogen and oxygen molecules to react, producing water vapour and heat; electricity is generated with very high efficiency and zero emissions.

The hydrogen is contained at a pressure of 350 bar in a tank made of composite material under the car's rear floor. Hydrogen is supplied to the cells at 1.5 bar, together with oxygen contained in the air.

The system is so efficient, says Fiat, that 60 percent of its output is available at 20 percent of maximum power. Its construction is relatively simple and it performs well at low temperatures, making it suitable for use in vehicles
The system is so efficient that 60 percent of its output is available at 20 percent of maximum power
.

The alternating current, three-phase electric motor and transmission are in the engine compartment along with the accessories required to operate the system as a whole.

The engine delivers a claimed 60kW at full power, giving the Panda Hydrogen a top speed of more than 130km/h and acceleration from 0-50km/h in five seconds. The car can also pull away up a 20º slope.

The hydrogen tank capacity gives the Panda Hydrogen a range of more than 200km around town. Refuelling takes less than five minutes, about the same as a car powered by compressed natural gas.

Fiat has been active in the development of alternative minimum environmental impact power units for some time, beginning with the Seicento Elettra H2 Fuel Cell and Seicento Hydrogen in 2001.

With the Panda Hydrogen, the company plans to move its research from laboratory prototypes to field trials. A small fleet of demonstration cars will be introduced in 2006 ahead of wide-ranging test programmes supported by the Italian government and the European Union.

The ultimate aim is to have the cars in showrooms within 20 years.