DaimlerChrysler AG (Stuttgart, Germany) announced the delivery of two fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) in California, which will use the DaimlerChrysler F-Cells in daily use. The fuel cell vehicles are among the first to be delivered since the official start of the US Department of Energy's (DOE, Washington, DC) Hydrogen Learning Demonstration Project.
The use of the F-Cells will enable DaimlerChrysler and the Air District to gain additional experience with fuel cell vehicles. By operating in California, DaimlerChrysler will receive data on variables that may affect future vehicle design. The two F-Cells bear Air District's commitment toward California's Hydrogen Highway program. Part of a 100-plus-vehicle fuel cell fleet that DaimlerChrysler has put into service around the world, the two F-Cells also will contribute to the DOE Hydrogen Learning Demonstration Project.
The F-Cell fuel cell system is housed in the floor of the vehicle, leaving full use of the passenger and cargo spaces. It has a range of approximately 100 miles and a top speed of 85 mph. The electric motor develops 88 hp (65 kW), enabling acceleration from 0 mph to 60 mph in 16 seconds. The stack has been developed by DaimlerChrysler cooperation partner Ballard Power Systems Inc.
