If it was up to the will of many futurologists and politicians, in just a few years the energy supply would be independent of coal and mineral oil in just a few years. It is not only the fact that these resources are finite that is causing concern to experts. The increased stresses on the atmosphere with CO2 released when the fossil raw materials are burnt is also of concern. Undoubtedly, motorised personal transport is also involved in this. That is why all of the major car manufacturers are researching into emission-free vehicles in the interests of sustainable mobility. This has become possible by fuel cell technology. Fuel cells generate electricity from hydrogen and oxygen; this electricity could power the cars of the future with electric motors. The main "exhaust gas" is steam.
Volkswagen also sees the fuel cell as a pioneering power principle. That is why we not only support university research in this field, but are also working intensively on the development of a dedicated technology, the high-temperature fuel cell specifically for use in the car. Because of its many possible uses - such as electricity generation in the stationary and mobile sphere, car engines and battery replacement in the micro-sphere - the new technology could also conquer large market shares. Within the context of Challenge Bibendum 2007 in Shanghai Volkswagen demonstrated the efficiency of its fuel cell technology in two prototypes, the Tiguan HyMotion and the zero emission version of the Passat Lingyu designed for China.
World Premiere with the Fuel Cell
The fuel cell system of the Tiguan HyMotion with an overall power of 80 kW has been integrated in the engine space. This is where the electric motor also works. It develops a maximum output of 100 kW/136 PS. The maximum speed is 150 km/h; in around 14 seconds the Tiguan HyMotion accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h.
A lithium-ion battery acts as an additional energy store. The battery is charged using the recovered braking energy (recuperation) or the fuel cell. The battery system is installed in the boot; below the double loading floor available in the standard Tiguan. The hydrogen tank was integrated in the area under the back seat and the boot. It holds 3.2 kg hydrogen (H2). The interior space is not restricted by the fuel cell power system.
The zero emission version of the Passat Lingyu is also ahead of its time. Its hydrogen fuel cell powers an 88 kW/120 PS electric motor. The prototype jointly developed in China by Volkswagen and Tongji University clearly shows that Volkswagen has long been cooperating with the most creative brains in the world in every continent in order to develop new solutions for a clean future. Tongji University, founded by Germans in 1907 as a "medical school", is one of the most respected universities in China.
The fuel cell of the Passat Lingyu is located in the floor of the car. The fuel cell system develops a peak power of 55 kW. The energy won during the conversion of hydrogen into water (H2O) is fed into a lithium-ion battery. This is located underneath the back seat. The gaseous hydrogen is carried in a carbon-fibre reinforced pressurised tank.
The Fuel Cell is Part of the Fuel Strategy
But until the fuel cell technology is ready for series production, Volkswagen is also turning to the synthetic bio fuel SunFuel® as part of its fuel strategy. We are convinced that in the decades ahead there will be a coexistence of the internal combustion engine and fuel cells and therefore we are encouraging both fuel cell technology as well as activities into new usage concepts for biomass.
Glossary