VW Takes the Next Step and Revolutionizes Fuel Cell Technology

Volkswagen has taken a step further in the fuel cell technology stakes with the development of a high temperature fuel cell. Almost all current fuel cell technology is the low temperature kind, whose performance suffers and can even be damaged if operating temperatures reach above a certain threshold, about 80 degrees Celsius.

VW’s high temperature fuel cell is the only one of its kind in the world and can operate and can operate at around 120 degrees Celsius, allowing designers to do away with a complicated and expensive cooling system. The VW system will be smaller, more efficient and cheaper, as well as being better suited to real world conditions.

According to researchers, “the high temperature fuel cell independently developed by Volkswagen in seven years of research work will make the overall system in the car lighter, more compact, stable and cheaper. And those are the decisive criteria for putting fuel cells on the path towards mass series production.” The solution was to develop a new membrane plus special modifications to electrodes to prevent product water from penetrating the system. Prototypes should be out and running by 2010 with the first production models driving out of showrooms by 2020.



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S4cabriofox - 10/31/2006 6:35:08 PM

-2 Boost

Stupid, ignorant comment.

Watch hybrids and diesels be eliminated. Fuel cell is the way of the future- hybrids are just a fad, and diesels aren't as economical as fuel cells.

S4cabriofox - 10/31/2006 6:35:22 PM

0 Boost

Honda, VW and BMW are leading the way here.

chewy - 10/31/2006 6:47:36 PM

0 Boost

Cars that run completely on electriciy can already be build currently. The fuel cell will basically be the same thing, but with the fuel cell replacing the battery and allowing for more range.

EL34i - 10/31/2006 7:11:40 PM

+1 Boost

I wish there was a way I could harness all of this excess flatulence. The methane is causing the BMW/Mercedes wallpaper to start peeling from the walls.

audiot - 10/31/2006 8:15:50 PM

+1 Boost

Volkswagen is hardly the German-standard bearer.

Neverfollow - 10/31/2006 8:37:35 PM

+1 Boost

Let me play devils advocate:

The real problem with fuel cell technology is making the Hydrogen in an efficient manor. Building the cars and setting up Hydrogen distribution are huge hurdles to overcome of course, but if the point is to releive us of our dependance uppon foreign oil and clean up the atmosphere, then we have huge problems. Most Hydrogen is produced as a by-product of natural gas which is also by-product of petrolium. The energy needed to produce it using other means would take more energy that what we would get in the end.

This is the REAL problem with fuel cell technology!

Until we come up with a solution for producing Hydrogen in a cost effective manner not using petrolium, then we will never get off the ground with this technology.