FCIA Announces Intent to Build Australia’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Car

The Fuel Cell Institute of Australia (FCIA) has announced plans to build Australia’s first hydrogen fuel cell (FCV) powered car. The partners for this project will include Solar Hydrogen Research Pty Ltd and the Fuel Cell Vehicle Alliance of Australia (FCVAA).

The vehicle will have a hybrid power plant consisting of a hydrogen fuel cell / battery / capacitor similar to that of the petrol/electric power plant of the Toyota Prius. In fact the “petrol” part of the Toyota Prius could be considered replaced with the fuel cell, making the new planned FCV a full electric vehicle (EV) capable of doing ~400kls – 500kls per tank of hydrogen.

Australia’s first FCV will as well have the capacity to have its battery charged from home via a convenient “plug in” option.

Australia’s first FCV will as well have a “Smart” fuel cell in its hybrid configuration so that sections of the fuel cell power plant can be isolated. This will allow the vehicle when stationary (parked) to act as a stationary power plant, supplying emission free high-grade electricity to the grid either at home or at work. Workers parking their FCVs collectively in suitable car parks in the city will gain extra income to offset the cost of their FCVs.

Source: Fuel Cell Today