Ford, Daimler-Benz and Ballard to Develop Fuel-Cell Technology for Future Vehicles
Ford Motor Company, Daimler-Benz AG, and Ballard Power Systems of Canada have announced the creation of a global alliance to develop fuel-cell-powered components for cars and trucks. The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 15 in Stuttgart, Germany with the expectation that final agreement will be reached within a few months.
William C. Ford, Jr., chairman of the finance committee and the environmental and public policy committee of the Ford Motor Company board of directors, addressed the limits of electric and alternative fuel vehicles in his keynote speech at the 14th International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition (EVS) in Orlando, Fla.
"A breakthrough in the power source has been and remains the obstacle to an affordable high-range electric vehicle," Ford said.
Fuel cells, which generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen to power vehicles, have the potential to provide the size, range, roominess and speed of conventional cars and trucks while emitting little more than water vapor into the atmosphere. The alliance aims to have fuel cell powertrains available to support commercialization of fuel cell vehicles by 2004.
In a fuel cell, hydrogen fuel obtained from natural gas or methanol is electrochemically combined with oxygen from the air to produce electricity and heat silently and without combustion. The technology offers low—or even zero—emission levels for a higher degree of efficiency. Pure water is the only by-product. An electrolyte membrane separates the hydrogen and the oxygen, preventing them from coming into direct contact. The various types of fuel cell are identified by the different electrolytes used.
A PEM fuel cell consists of two electrodes, the anode and the cathode, separated by a polymer electrolyte. Each of the electrodes is coated on one side with a platinum catalyst. Hydrogen fuel dissociates into free electrons and protons in the presence of the platinum catalyst at the anode. The free electrons are conducted in the form of usable electric current through the external circuit. The protons migrate through the membrane electrolyte to the cathode. At the cathode, oxygen from the air, electrons from the external circuit and protons combine to form pure water and heat, to obtain the desired amount of electrical-power-generated individual fuel cells in a stack. Increasing the number of cells in a stack increases the voltage, while increasing the surface area of the cells increases the current.
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Figure courtesy of Ballard Power Systems Inc.
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are best suited for mobile applications—cars or buses—because of their operating temperatures of between 20 and 100 degrees centigrade and their high power density. They can be operated with hydrogen derived from fuels such as methanol or natural gas and with oxygen derived from normal air. PEMFCs have been demonstrated in transportation, stationary and portable power applications.
The American Methanol Industry (AMI) praised the companies' alliance in a statement issued at EVS 14. Previously, according to AMI, Daimler-Benz announced production plans for methanol fuel cell vehicles that include an on-board reformer or "chemical plant" to produce hydrogen gas from liquid methanol.
"With the ease and convenience of a liquid fuel and the ability to use the existing gasoline distribution infrastructure, methanol is an ideal hydrogen carrier," said AMI spokesman Raymond Lewis.
The existing gasoline infrastructure can be modified to supply methanol at a cost of about $30,000 per station to convert underground storage tanks and fuel pumps to methanol operation, AMI said. The cost to make methanol available at one-in-ten gasoline stations nationwide is about $600 million.
Under the pending fuel cell technology agreement, Ballard will be responsible for fuel cells, with Daimler-Benz and Ford holding 20 percent and 15 percent of Ballard Power Systems Inc., respectively. Daimler-Benz will be the majority owner of DBB Fuel Cell Engines GmbH, responsible for fuel cell systems, with Ballard and Ford holding about 26 percent and 23 percent, respectively. Ford will be the majority owner of a new company responsible for electric drivetrain systems, with Ballard and Daimler-Benz owning 19 percent each. Ford's total investment in the partnership will be about $420 million in cash, technology and assets.
American Methanol Institute, Tel: 202-467-5050
Ballard Power Systems Inc., Barnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Tel: 604-412-4740; Fax: 604-412-3131.
Daimler-Benz, AGStuttgart, Germany. Tel: 49.711.17.93307; Fax: 49.711.17.94365.
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI. Tel: 313-322-9600; Fax: 313-845-0570.