VW May Share Fuel Cell Technology With Other Carmakers: For a Price

Volkswagen has developed a smaller, more powerful fuel cell that it may make available to other carmakers.

Officials don’t want to discuss this possibility yet, but Frank Seyfried, who is responsible for fuel cell research at VW, said: “We are considering it although no decision has been taken on that.”

VW’s technology increases a cell’s working temperature, but requires less cooling than existing cells. The VW fuel cell also can be 30 percent smaller than current cells.

VW needs another three years to build test vehicles using the new technology. It will likely be 10 more years before the first production cars are made. “In 2020, the first affordable VW fuel-cell car for everyday could be on the market,” said Wolfgang Steiger, powertrain director at VW group research.



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Rupert - 11/22/2006 1:23:31 PM

+1 Boost

VW doesn't innovate obviously.

*sarcasm*

S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2006 1:44:27 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, it's so un-innovative, because it doesn't use hybrids... how horrible.

*Also sarcasm*...

Homer008 - 11/22/2006 6:04:24 PM

+3 Boost

Kudos to VW! Well done!



sheepdog "protector"

S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2006 7:10:54 PM

0 Boost

Will, notice how un-biased your Lexus friend is right there.

Model yourself after him.

The one and only Toyota innovation ever was... hybrid. Wow.

Mercedes-Benz innovated by creating the CAR.

jsthecarnut - 11/22/2006 2:13:42 PM

+1 Boost

VW has experimented with hybrids in the past. In fact, Audi sold a diesel electric motor hybrid called the Duo before Toyota introduced the Prius and Honda introduced the Insight. While technologically attractive, the Audi Duo was not a commercial success. I guess when any perceived increase in fuel economy occurs in a nation the celebrates the 8 mpg Hummer H2, that "innovation" is duly recognized.

VW has many more real innovations lurking in the R&D labs! Toyota is nothing more than a rapid copier of innovation.

chewy - 11/22/2006 3:10:05 PM

+3 Boost

So it looks like VW has the best fuel cell right now. Or at least they have a competetive one.

chewy - 11/22/2006 9:41:48 PM

0 Boost

It isn't in production, it will cost 200,000 or more so Honda will have to subsidize it. VW is talking about when they will have a fuel cell Rabbit for sale. Plus as you can see the VW one has technology that makes the fuel cell comparable to a normal car and not a marketing excercise.

AmazingBimmer - 11/23/2006 11:01:08 AM

-5 Boost

are there a lot of car companies looking for old technology with a fwd platform that is nose heavy and underperforms in every category and segment.??

chewy - 11/23/2006 2:38:20 PM

+1 Boost

Just because VW would rather keep its technology under wraps until it can get it into a 20,000 Rabbit doesn't mean it isn't working on it. As you can read in the article VW is the only one with the high temperature fuel cell that makes it lighter, takes less cooling and more fuel efficient. One off fuel cell cars have been made over ten year ago. You can even buy a little toy one for 100 dollars, the point is making it available for all vehicles, something VW is working on.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/23/2006 10:25:09 PM

+1 Boost

AmazingBimmer, you continue to stun me with your limitlessly stupid posts.

There is no way you are an adult. If you are, you're a very sad man. Very insecure, very low self esteem.

AmazingBimmer - 11/24/2006 12:18:37 PM

-2 Boost

why am i sad? because you actaully buy a rebadged vw? and claim it to be a luxury performance car? who is sadder here my friend? ill say it again.. spend th ecash, buy the bimmer or benz and dont spend so much time trying to convince the rest of the world that the tinny, poorly engineered cars form vw actually matter. am I to understand that you just ordered a s8? why ? you shoudl have waited for the alpina b7. as with everything from bimmer, it will run circles around the audi equivalent.

IamEvilHomer - 11/25/2006 4:39:39 AM

+3 Boost

amazingbimmer is Logical

he has to be
there are not 2 people this stupid in the world ? Are there?

Well there was the OJ Jurry. I take it back

AmazingBimmer - 11/26/2006 1:41:04 AM

-1 Boost

Homer, why personal?. its Ok if you dont like my posts... no need to get nasty. may I enquire as to what you drive? may help in providing some context.

IamEvilHomer - 11/26/2006 3:05:08 AM

+3 Boost

S6 2007
and to call someone an idiot for buying as you call it a rebaged VW is not personal.

Please answer are you Logical (screenname)