BMW Hydrogen 7 arrives in the UK; Honda debut fuel cell car
Thu 10 May 2007
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BMW has announced that eight BMW Hydrogen 7s have arrived in Britain and will be showcased at several public events over the summer. Meanwhile, Honda's 2008 FCX fuel cell vehicle prototype has been trialled by motoring journalists.
The eight UK cars are part of what is intended to be a 100 strong fleet, says BMW. In addition to appearances at relevant public events, the cars will also be used to transport key participants at industrial, business and political conferences. A group of specially selected users will also take delivery of a car for short periods of time in order to experience hydrogen-powered motoring.
The BMW Hydrogen 7 is based on the existing 7 Series and comes equipped with an internal combustion engine capable of running on hydrogen or petrol. In hydrogen mode the car emits only water vapour from the exhaust pipe. However, commentators acknowledge that there are CO2 emissions further up the fuel supply chain and that the overall impact of the vehicle is determined by the mode of hydrogen production and delivery to the service station. The driver of a Hydrogen 7 can switch from hydrogen to conventional petrol power at the press of a steering wheel-mounted button.
Meanwhile, Honda’s 2008 FCX fuel cell vehicle prototype, the company’s first fuel cell car specifically aimed at the consumer market, has been tested by motoring journalists in the United States.
The 2008 FCX model is reported to have air conditioning and power-steering, and production models are to have an array of features and accessories similar to those in a gasoline-power car. The fuel cell in the 2008 FCX is smaller than in past models and is realigned to be vertical rather than horizontal in order for it to fit under the centre tunnel in the car. The vertical stack speeds water flow to minimize the chance of freezing, and the compact size concentrates the stack's heat to fight freezing and allows the stack to produce power quickly, Honda says.
Honda says it hopes to distribute the 2008 FCX to US-based users who have access to hydrogen.
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