Volkswagen outlines fuel cell development timetable

Volkswagen has announced the development of a smaller fuel cell that is more powerful than its predecessors and may be made available to other car manufacturers.

While officials remain reluctant to discuss the plans openly, one of the carmaker's leading fuel cell researchers has admitted the proposals are being considered, although

"We are considering it although no decision has been taken on that," confirmed Frank Seyfried, fuel cell researcher at Volkswagen, Fuel Cell Works reported.

Volkswagen's current fuel cell technology functions by increasing the working temperature of the cell, without needing the same amount of cooling than current cells.

The fuel cell is also almost a third (30 per cent) smaller than other fuel cells currently in existence, it is claimed.

Wolfgang Steiger, VW group's powertrain director, outlined the time frame for the new technology to come to market, with three more years expected to build test vehicles and ten years before the first cars go into production.

"In 2020, the first affordable VW fuel cell car for everyday could be on the market," Mr Steiger said.


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Source: Adfero