Taking a DaimlerChrysler Fuel Cell Vehicle to the Drag Strip
06 Septembre 2006 - 2:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
* F-Cell customer Inergy Automotive Systems spent a day on the
quarter-mile * Fuel cell vehicles have found their way into the
performance arena * Acceleration data will be provided to the
Department of Energy for the Hydrogen Learning Demonstration
Program * DaimlerChrysler has the largest fleet of fuel cell
vehicles in the world -- more than 100 buses, vans and passenger
cars MILAN RACEWAY, Mich., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As
fuel cell technology rapidly moves forward, it finds a path into
the hands of performance enthusiasts. On a Saturday afternoon at
the Milan Raceway in Michigan, Inergy Automotive Systems drove its
leased DaimlerChrysler F-Cell down the quarter-mile stretch with
documented times less than 19 seconds, at speeds in excess of 70
miles per hour. The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle didn't break any
land speed records but the possibility of zero-emissions high-
performance has been recognized. (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060906/DEW003 ) The trip to
Milan Raceway yielded valuable systems data that will be used to
improve DaimlerChrysler fuel cell vehicles and help the Department
of Energy make decisions about our nation's future energy needs.
The information gathered also will help Inergy Automotive Systems
expand its research and development of hydrogen storage systems --
one of the hurdles the technology faces. Inergy Automotive Systems
has developed a strong relationship with DaimlerChrysler to improve
hydrogen storage and distribution technology, particularly with
regard to the optimized integration of hydrogen tanks into
vehicles. A true leader in fuel cell transportation,
DaimlerChrysler has spent more than $1 billion in fuel cell vehicle
research and development. No other manufacturer has accumulated
more vehicles or data or driven more zero- emission miles -- 1.3
million miles. The DaimlerChrysler fuel cell vehicle fleet is
diverse -- in addition to several research vehicles, it also
includes medium-duty Dodge Sprinter vans and more than 30
Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses, which operate in Europe, the United
States, Japan, Australia, China and Singapore. As part of the
world's largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles, DaimlerChrysler has
more than 25 fuel cell vehicles with customers in California and
more than 100 around the world. No other manufacturer comes close
to the efforts of DaimlerChrysler with fuel cell technology.
DaimlerChrysler pioneered fuel cell vehicle technology more than a
decade ago. Fuel cells release energy from the reaction of hydrogen
with a catalyst and oxygen. This clean technology operates at a
high level of efficiency and is true zero-emissions.
Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles emit only pure water vapor as
exhaust. DaimlerChrysler works closely with Ballard Power Systems
to develop the fuel cell stack. Fuel cell vehicles are part of
DaimlerChrysler's advanced propulsion technology umbrella, which
includes efficient gasoline engines, advanced diesels, flex-fuel
and hybrid powertrain systems. For Inergy Automotive Systems,
innovation is a state of mind and an essential factor in market
competitiveness, leading its teams toward new heights of success.
Inergy Automotive Systems is the leading tier-one supplier of fuel
systems to the major car manufacturers. One in five light vehicles
produced in the world is equipped by Inergy. Inergy Automotive
Systems' research budget is constantly increasing, growing in the
past three years from 0.9 percent to 2 percent of the company's
sales. In addition to responding to the challenge of producing
environmentally friendly vehicles, Inergy Automotive Systems is
dedicated to developing new optimized architectures and concepts.
Inergy Automotive Systems' strategy is based on innovation,
environmental protection and sustainable development -- always
working toward a better, cleaner world.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060906/DEW003 DATASOURCE:
Chrysler Group CONTACT: Nick Cappa, +1-248-512-4266, , or Cole
Quinnell, +1-248-512-0315, , both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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