POLLUTION-FREE PROTOTYPE : FUEL CELLS POWER ELECTRIC VAN'S 150-MILE RANGE.Byline: Gregory J. Wilcox Daily News Staff Writer Daimler-Benz rolled out a new, high-tech, pollution-free electric mini-van Tuesday with enough range to possibly make it into the California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). market. The white, six-passenger van uses advanced fuel cell technology to wring wring v. wrung , wring·ing, wrings v.tr. 1. To twist, squeeze, or compress, especially so as to extract liquid. Often used with out. 2. 150 miles out its engine before refueling, the company said. It's quite an improvement over Daimler-Benz's last model, in which the cargo space was consumed con·sume v. con·sumed, con·sum·ing, con·sumes v.tr. 1. To take in as food; eat or drink up. See Synonyms at eat. 2. a. by the fuel cells. This time they are stored under the vehicle's floor. Top speed is 68 miles per hour. The company showcased the van in Berlin, saying its fuel cell technology is progressing faster than anticipated. A Canadian company, Ballard Power Corp., is the automaker's partner in the project. ``I think it's one of the most significant things that has happened in this decade in regards to zero emission Zero emission refers to an engine, motor, or other energy source, that emits no waste products that pollutes the environment or disrupts the climate. Zero emission engines vehicles,'' said Calabasas resident Larry L. Berg, one of Ballard's directors. ``The development of fuel cells has been meteorlike.'' Daimler-Benz has not yet said whether it will commercially produce the van or how much it could cost. But Berg said that a commercial model could be ready by 2003 and be priced to compete with gasoline gasoline or petrol, light, volatile mixture of hydrocarbons for use in the internal-combustion engine and as an organic solvent, obtained primarily by fractional distillation and "cracking" of petroleum, but also obtained from natural gas, by powered models. The company has reduced the size and weight of the fuel cell engine by 80 percent in two years. California officials are excited about the development. ``The Daimler-Benz/Ballard hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is of great potential importance in California,'' James M. Strock, the state's Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and secretary, said in a statement. The fuel cells convert natural gas, methanol methanol, methyl alcohol, or wood alcohol, CH3OH, a colorless, flammable liquid that is miscible with water in all proportions. Methanol is a monohydric alcohol. It melts at −97. or hydrogen fuel into electricity without combustion combustion, rapid chemical reaction of two or more substances with a characteristic liberation of heat and light; it is commonly called burning. The burning of a fuel (e.g., wood, coal, oil, or natural gas) in air is a familiar example of combustion. or pollution. They are similar to batteries, but do not run down and provide power as long as fuel is provided. And California is making a market for this kind of technology. State regulations require that 10 percent of the vehicles sold here by 2003 be pollution free. So far the first cars on the market will get their power from batteries, which offer limited range. A fuel cell vehicle would provide competition and give consumers more choices. General Motors Corp. will start selling its electric EV1 this fall, which relies on lead acid batteries. ``We believe that is the most proven technology for mass consumer use,'' said GM spokeswoman Sharon Sarris. But other technologies also are being explored. ``We're working on fuel cells. That's certainly a viable future technology,'' she said. ``But we have not announced its use on a vehicle.'' Several members of Calstart, the Burbank-based advanced transportation consortium, are also working on fuel cells. ``We've always though that fuel cells were an excellent technology. The fact that (Daimler-Benz) has been able to get this down in size really excites us,'' said Calstart President Mike Gage. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Color) Daimler-Benz's electric mini-van impressed im·press 1 tr.v. im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es 1. To affect strongly, often favorably: C alifornia officials with its clean-running engine. |
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