Fuel cells start to look real
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Nissan Xterra-FCV
 Nissan Xterra-FCV. |
Nissan has developed a direct hydrogen fuel-cell-powered SUV based on the Xterra. The SUV incorporates a Ballard Mark 900 stack fueled with pressurized hydrogen.
Nissan began test drives last May in Japan of a fuel-cell vehicle equipped with a methanol reformer to generate hydrogen from methanol. The Xterra-FCV adopts the company's own energy, thermal, and water management systems. The Xterra-FCV also adopts a high-efficiency neodymium magnet synchronous traction motor combined with a compact and high-performance lithium-ion battery. The lightweight lithium-ion battery provides fast startup, extra power during acceleration, and regenerative braking capabilities, according to Noboru Kaneko, Manager of Technology Planning at Nissan Technical Center North America. These technologies have already been commercialized in the Nissan Altra EV, Hypermini, and Tino Hybrid.
 Nissan Xterra-FCV. |
The Xterra-FCV uses the Advanced Lightweight Fuel Storage System from Dynetek Industries Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta, which is designed with a seamless thin-wall aluminum liner with a full carbon-fiber overwrap. Five out of the eight direct hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles unveiled at the California Fuel Cell Partnership concept car introduction in November use Dynetek's fuel-storage systems. Kaneko expects Nissan to introduce a "market research vehicle" in the 2003-05 time frame, pending development of a fueling infrastructure.
Nissan has also entered into a fuel-cell development alliance with Renault. Kaneko said that Nissan is committing 300 engineers to the $85-million project, which is still in its early stages.
