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Latest News From the World of Electric Drive--Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell
Latest News From the World of Electric Drive--Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell
Published 06-07-04
Submitted by Electric Drive Transportation Association
EDTA member Hyundai has unveiled its Tucson fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), the second FCEV developed by the automaker. The Tucson FCEV's driving range is 186 miles, and is equipped with 152-liter hydrogen storage tanks. It is capable of starting and operating in sub-zero temperatures, and has a top speed of 93mph. It is the first fuel cell vehicle developed alongside a new production model vehicle (the Tucson is a new SUV for Hyundai, and will be available this summer to consumers). Hyundai officials say that developing the fuel cell vehicle parallel to the regular vehicle will improve efficiency and quality control in the Tucson FCEV manufacturing process.
EDTA Board Member DaimlerChrysler will provide three hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses to the city of Beijing in 2005. DaimlerChrysler already has fuel cell buses in operation in ten European cities. The buses are being provided as part of an agreement between DaimlerChrysler and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. According to a press release, DaimlerChrysler plans to have over 100 fuel cell vehicles on the road worldwide by the end of this year.
EDTA Board Member Hydro-Québec Industech will provide advanced propulsion and energy storage components, and technical service for the integration of the technologies, to the Cégep of Saint-Jérôme, which is managing a large research project for advanced propulsion and infrastructure. Hydro-Québec's involvement in the project is estimated at $1.4 million. The objectives of the project are to provide Canadian researchers with tools to carry out advanced transportation research; to establish collaboration between the education and research sectors with the advanced transportation industry; and, to contribute to reaching objectives decreed by the Kyoto protocol.
EDTA member Advanced Transportation Technology Institute (ATTI) will help plan the transportation activities for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. ATTI president John Powell, the Transportation Director for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, foresees a mix of hybrid, battery electric and other alternative fueled vehicles meeting the transportation needs of the 2008 games. It is estimated that traffic in Beijing during the Olympics will increase by 3 million people per hour, making the development of a mass transit system a priority.
EDTA member Azure Dynamics, a developer of hybrid electric powertrains for commercial vehicles, has introduced a hybrid electric London Taxi. The taxi is estimated to have a fuel savings of 35% and an emissions reduction of 90% over a traditional commercial London Taxi.
In other news, Azure has received approval to list its common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange. As of June 1, 2004, Azure has 83,903,918 common shares issued and outstanding; trading will commence on June 4, and the company's symbol is AZD.
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has announced a partnership with the Korea Automotive Research Institute (KATECH) to test advanced battery systems for use in electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. NREL has a long history of successfully working with industry partners on battery thermal testing, and electric and hybrid vehicle simulation.
The national average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is over $2.00 a gallon, and even higher gas prices are anticipated this summer. This reality, coupled with the continuing conflict in the Middle East and the fact that close to one-half of the petroleum consumed in the U.S. is imported, makes it clear that Congress must act boldly, and immediately, to encourage consumers to invest in new forms of transportation that can move us away from reliance on petroleum.
All major vehicle manufacturers have introduced, or plan to introduce, new advanced technology vehicles into the marketplace. These vehicles share a common cost challenge; they cannot match the high volume production and economies of scale of comparable gasoline-powered vehicles. Temporary consumer tax credits, designed to partially offset the higher costs of these advanced vehicle technologies, likely will encourage consumers to purchase these clean and efficient vehicles. By increasing purchase and demand for these technologies, costs will decrease and a sustainable market for battery, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles will result.
The Senate recently passed the Foreign Sales Corporation/Extraterritorial Income Act (aka the Jump Start Our Business Strength (JOBs) Act - S. 1637). This legislation includes EDTA-supported tax incentives to assist consumers and businesses in purchasing battery electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles and supporting infrastructure. The House Ways and Means Committee is currently considering its version of the FSC/ETI bill and it too should take the steps necessary to include these energy tax incentives in its version of the measure. Policymakers need to recognize the important role that tax incentives can play to assist consumers and businesses in making the transition necessary to ensure a viable and sustainable market for electric drive technologies.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it has been estimated that 60% of Americans live in areas where levels of one or more air pollutants are high enough to affect public health and/or the environment. Battery, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles also can assist in improving the air quality in our cities and towns since, in the case of battery electric vehicles, they have zero emissions from the tailpipe, and hybrid electric vehicles have significantly less emissions than other transportation options.
Policymakers have the opportunity to accelerate important energy security, energy diversity and conservation, and environmental goals by providing consumer-based tax incentives for advanced vehicle technologies and supporting infrastructure. Congress and the Administration need to act responsibly by assisting consumers in making the switch to electric drive.
I urge you to send a personalized email directly to your representative via the "Legislative Action Center" on the homepage of www.electricdrive.org. By passing such a bill, and providing consumer-based tax incentives for advanced vehicle technologies and supporting infrastructure, policymakers have the opportunity to accelerate important energy security, energy diversity and conservation, and environmental goals. EDTA members should present a strong voice during this critical time on Capitol Hill.
Electric Drive Transportation Association
Electric Drive Transportation Association
