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Hydrogen-Powered Fords Set for Test-Drive in Sacramento, Calif.
Apr 28th, 2004 (The Sacramento Bee - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via COMTEX) -- Sacramento was again singled out as a hot spot for green vehicle development Tuesday when Ford Motor Co. and oil company BP announced a plan to bring a fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles to the area and to build hydrogen fueling stations for them. The initiative is part of a newly unveiled $350 million project by the Department of Energy to fund a variety of hydrogen-related auto projects. The goal is to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Private companies are expected to pour another $225 million over the next five years on programs promoting hydrogen research. Hydrogen-fueled cars and trucks have zero emissions, which makes them attractive in pollution-plagued California. However, while hydrogen is abundant there are some concerns about safely using it. While other automakers - including DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Toyota, Honda and Nissan - announced plans Tuesday to use federal money to introduce hydrogen-powered vehicles into the Golden State, Ford singled out Sacramento. The nationâs No. 2 automaker said it plans to distribute 10 Ford Focus FCV Focus passenger cars modified to run as hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles - throughout the Sacramento area. Vehicle assembly is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with road trials as early as first quarter 2005. BP said it will build hydrogen fueling stations in the area for refueling the carsâ hydrogen tanks. The timetable for building the stations and their locations has yet to determined. The West Sacramento-based California Fuel Cell Partnership, which has worked on fuel cell vehicles since 1999, will be happy to be involved in maintaining and fueling the Ford autos. "These vehicles are getting more exposure every day," said spokesman Joe Irvin. In addition to the partnership, the Sacramento area is home to extensive alternative fuel research and development at UC-Davis and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Ford said its locally distributed Focus FCVs will be divided among three state agencies - the Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission and the Department of General Services - SMUD and the city of Davis. Ford officials said they hoped the FCVs would help local officials gain more experience with fuel cell vehicles and also promote the use of hydrogen vehicles in the region. The Sacramento area was one of three cities designated to receive 10 vehicles each - and accompanying hydrogen fueling stations - under the Ford-BP initiative. The other two were Detroit and Orlando, Fla. "This demonstration and validation project will play a major role in moving us forward toward a hydrogen-fueled future," said Gerhard Schmidt, a Ford vice president. Oil company ConocoPhillips also announced its intention to build hydrogen fueling stations in California. The flurry of hydrogen news came just a week after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger formally disclosed his plans for a "Hydrogen Highway" that would stretch the length of the state. The governorâs efforts are just one of the Sacramento areaâs claims to being a center for fuel cells, electric vehicles and alternative-fuel transportation. The California Fuel Cell Partnership, formed in 1999, develops and promote fuel cell vehicles. It includes representatives from the automotive and energy industries, technology developers and government. Ford and BP are among the members. Ford and BP officials said that the partnership headquarters at 3300 Industrial Blvd. will handle most of the refueling and maintenance for the Focus FCVs delivered to the area. At the University of California, Davis, the Institute of Transportation Studies established an international reputation for cutting-edge research and testing of alternative-fuel vehicles. SMUD has tested a wide range of electric vehicles through its own programs and has electric vehicle recharging stations at its Sacramento headquarters. While the exact distribution breakdown of the 10 Ford Focus FCVs will be determined, SMUD electric transportation supervisor Bill Boyce said that the utility was hoping to receive three. "We would like to do high-mileage testing with one of the vehicles and use the other two for public outreach around the city," Boyce said. Ford and BP said Focus FCVs going to state agencies and the city of Davis will likely produce more information on fuel cell vehicle operation, maintenance and consumer acceptance. In Davis, the vehicles will likely be used by the police department and various city agencies. There is a hydrogen refueling facility on the UC-Davis campus. The Ford Focus FCV uses an 85-kilowatt fuel cell stack manufactured by Ballard Power Systems and a nickel metal-hydride battery pack. A regenerative braking system enables the vehicle to produce power on deceleration and braking. By converting chemical energy into electrical energy to power the vehicleâs electric motor, emissions are reduced to heat and water. Most experts think it could be at least a decade before hydrogen fuel cell vehicles would be ready and affordable for the mainstream U.S. market. Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-04-29 |
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