| Media
Release |
Villigen PSI, 12th October 2004 |
New HY-LIGHT fuel cell vehicle
Two-litre
car sets new standards
A project for cleaner
mobility is currently celebrating its first public
appearance in Shanghai. The research centre of Michelin
Group and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland
have developed the prototype for a lightweight passenger
vehicle, offering a new combination of improvements in the
field of environmentally-sensitive motor vehicle
construction. This car consumes significantly less raw
material and spends very few energy. It emits no exhaust
fumes and is outstandingly stable. The fuel cell vehicle can
demonstrate its performance presently at the Challenge
Bibendum, the largest competition in the world for
futuristic drive concepts, taking place for the first time
in China in 2004.
Though the buzz of the HY-LIGHT
as it drives through the streets is gentle, this four-seater
turns out to have outstanding power. It accelerates from
standstill to 100 km/h in less than twelve seconds – but
there’s no roar of exhaust from its rear end. The HY-LIGHT
runs on a system of fuel cells, using hydrogen and oxygen to
produce electric current. Steam is the one and only exhaust
product from this car – no trace of nitrogen oxides,
greenhouse gases or aerosol particles.
The electric current is
conducted through an electric power train, whose last
elements consist of two compact electric motors, fitted in
the front wheels of the HY-LIGHT. When the vehicle brakes,
recovered kinetic energy is stored in devices called
supercaps. These capacitors can re-release the electricity
later, increasing the output of the motor from 30 kilowatts
(41 HP) to 75 kilowatts (102 HP) for a short time.
Less resource consumption
thanks to low weight
As well as the environmentally-friendly fuel cell
driving mechanism, the HY-LIGHT can provide other ecological
advantages. This lightweight car only weighs 850 kilograms.
As a result, significantly less raw material is used in its
manufacture, and its consumption of fuel is spectacularly
low, equivalent to just two litres of petrol per 100
kilometres. The fuel cell operates at an efficiency level of
about 60 percent, making it three times more efficient than
conventional internal combustion engines on average. With a
tank full of fuel, it will travel 400 kilometres – which
is also a top value for a fuel cell car.
Input from basic research
The HY-LIGHT is the result
of a partnership between the research centre of Michelin
Group, based near Fribourg, Switzerland, and the PSI in
Villigen, in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland. PSI
developed the fuel cell system, and contributed its
long-term experience of basic electrochemical research. By
using the new cells and improved supercaps, the scientists,
engineers and designers achieved a technological leap
forward in the efficiency of energy conversion. Michelin
created the whole power train, the electric motors and the
chassis management system, based on an active electric
suspension. This gives the vehicle stability on bends and
when it brakes, providing a safe, comfortable ride. Hydrogen
and oxygen are stored in special vessels fitted into the
structure of the vehicle and well protected against shocks.
Both gases can be produced by electrolysis. A prototype
installation was studied and realised with the support of
the Electrical Power Company of Fribourg.
Within barely 20 months,
this enthusiastic team from the worlds of science and
industry have constructed and tested their prototype. The HY-LIGHT
can now demonstrate its performance in Shanghai at the
Challenge Bibendum, the largest competition in the world for
environmentally-friendly motor vehicles. The fuel cell car
will be presented in public for the first time in
Switzerland before the end of November 2004.
For further information,
contact:
Dr. Philipp Dietrich, Project
Manager Fuel Cell System of the HY-LIGHT, PSI,
Tel. +41 (0)79 437 42 93
Daniel Laurent, Head of Research
Centre of Michelin Group, Givisiez, near Fribourg,
Tel. +41 (0)79 230 77 07
Prof. Dr. Alexander Wokaun, Head
of Department, General Energy Research Department, PSI,
Tel. +41 (0)56 310 27 51; alexander.wokaun@psi.ch
Dr. Günther Scherer, Manager of
the Electrochemistry Laboratory, PSI,
Tel. +41 (0)56 310 23 62; guenther.scherer@psi.ch
The text of this media
release and associated photographs can be downloaded from
the internet: http://www.psi.ch/medien/medien_news.shtml
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