A Hyundai Motor Co. (Ann Arbor, MI) Santa Fe powered by International Fuel Cells (IFC, South Windsor, CT) scored best in class in two key performance tests at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, an annual event where new automotive technologies are evaluated by independent judges. The vehicle, which is powered by an IFC 75kW ambient-pressure proton-exchange membrane fuel cell, scored an “A” in noise and a “B” in energy efficiency. Both were the highest grades given to fuel cell cars entered in those categories.
“These high marks for noise and efficiency from an independent panel demonstrate the superior performance of IFC's proprietary ambient pressure design," said William Miller, president of IFC, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (Hartford, CT).
IFC's ambient-pressure design manages the water produced by a fuel cell, resulting in a fuel cell system that is quiet, fuel efficient and easy to install into a vehicle. The fuel cell system installed in the Hyundai Santa Fe does not encroach on the vehicle's passenger or cargo space.
