| Ford has fielded the world’s
first hydrogen racecar based on a production model. The Ford Fusion Hydrogen
999 achieved 334km/h at the Bonneville Nationals competition, staged each
year on the famous Utah Salt Flats.
The car used the electric motors from the OEM’s 2004 “Buckeye
Bullet”, an electric vehicle built by Ohio State University. Ford
designed the vehicle and drivetrain. Race firm Roush did the construction
work. Ballard Power Systems supplied the 400kW fuel cells.
Ford advanced engineering chief Gerhard Schmidt said: “The run at
Bonneville will expand Ford’s technological fuel cell-powered vehicles’
horizons. The 999 is another step towards commercially viable hydrogen
vehicles.”
Earlier this year, the Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation formed in the
US. It plans to launch the “Hydrogen 500” in the US in 2009.
The series will give manufacturers a lot of design and technical freedom,
but insists on closed wheel cars and a minimum weight of 900kg. |
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