Next generation electric vehicle is unveiled by Mazda

Citation

(1998), "Next generation electric vehicle is unveiled by Mazda", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 50 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1998.01850bab.008

Next generation electric vehicle is unveiled by Mazda

Next generation electric vehicle is unveiled by Mazda

Mazda has unveiled the Demio FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle). This experimental prototype car is being used to evaluate driveability, control systems and fuel efficiency. Maximum speed is expected to be 90km/hr while the car's range is 170km per full charge of hydrogen.

The Demio FCEV is powered by a fuel cell system which generates electricity through the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. This fuel cell system is composed of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack to generate electricity; a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank to supply hydrogen into the fuel cell stack and a small air compressor to feed oxygen (air) into the fuel cell stack.

One clear advantage with Mazda's fuel cell system is its compactness. This has been achieved by eliminating the external air humidifier. The polymer electrolyte membrane always contains water for its fuel cell operation. In the conventional polymer electrolyte fuel system, hydrogen and air are externally humidified. However, Mazda's fuel cell effectively uses water which is produced in the electrochemical reaction process and it eliminates the external air humidifier which normally occupies 15 per cent of the volume of the fuel cell stack. Mazda has also adopted an ultracapacitor, durable under repetitive use, which provides supplemental electricity by charging and discharging electricity required for acceleration.

The FCEV's claim to be the "next generation" electric vehicle is based on the fact that the car has an on-board electric generator consuming hydrogen as a fuel rather than the "conventional" electric vehicle with an on-board battery to store energy. The fuel cell emits only water as a by-product of the electrochemical reaction. No pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide are emitted since the source of fuel is hydrogen and no combustion activity is involved. Furthermore, higher efficiency in energy conversion is achieved when compared with conventional internal combustion engines since there is less heat loss.

Mazda has been studying the application of hydrogen to power cars for a long time. Previous examples include the hydrogen rotary engine and fuel cell. The company is also developing other environmentally-friendly technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, alternative fuel and clean energy vehicles as well as concentrating on recycling materials and resources.