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FreedomCAR Reports On Fuel Cell Progress

April 4, 2008

The National Research Council has released a report detailing the progress and challenges still faced by the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, a research and policy joint venture among the US Department of Energy, the three major domestic US automakers, and five major energy companies. The initiative is exploring the benefits and challenges of transitioning from a petroleum-based transportation structure to a hydrogen-based one, and seeks to develop technology that will allow the automakers to decide on the feasibility of a hydrogen alternative by 2015.

The venture has focused on all aspects of auto manufacturing, design and operation, as well as the production, storage, transportation and distribution of hydrogen. The report details some of the technological advancements in the past two years that support the move to hydrogen, as well as some of the persistent challenges. The purpose of the report was to assess progress to date, and verify that the goals of the program are still viable and are being appropriately funded.

Areas of progress include the successful introduction of biofuels, and advances in car batteries that will support a transitional hybrid-electric and all-electric vehicle market. While progress has been made in the creation of Li-ion batteries, their manufacturing cost remains about twice as high as the group’s target levels. Additionally, new research is needed on other high-energy battery formulations to determine whether the batteries – whether they’re Li-ion or another technology – can be mass-produced easily.

The report recommended additional research in the materials used in fuel cell membranes and membrane electrode assemblies, and expressed the need for significant improvements in the durability and cost of these components. According to the report, this was one research area in which a reallocation of research dollars was needed to ensure that the venture’s goals are appropriately met.

The report also updated progress on hydrogen storage for vehicles. Regardless of its form, the hydrogen needed for a 300-mile refueling cycle takes up more space and requires heavier storage tanks than a comparable volume of gasoline. The report concludes that the initiative’s goals on weight, storage capacity and cost will remain unmet without the development of yet-unknown technology. The initiative is still supporting basic research in this area.

Finally, the report recommended extending the initiative’s existence until 2030 or 2035, to ensure that research goals and transitional issues are addressed appropriately.

Written by Hybrid Car Chat · Filed Under Hybrid Technology 

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