20 Jul 07
The future of motoring according to Ford is a lot of hot air. And puddles of water on the road. That's because the Blue Oval reckons the hydrogen fuel cell-electric hybrid system we're testing is how the vast majority of cars will be powered by the end of the next decade.
Hydrogen and battery power is a good combination because the only by-products of driving are heat and water. Hence the drips from a hidden orifice beneath the car that leave their telltale mark whenever you loiter for longer than a few seconds.
Dubbed HySeries Drive, the technology is revolutionary because it's the first hybrid car that you plug in to charge. With full batteries the electric engine on its own would have a pretty paltry 62-mile range. But after 25 miles, when the charge dips below 40%, the hydrogen fuel cell kicks in, helping to recharge the battery.
It's similar to the way the Toyota Prius works, but totally different too. Like the Prius the electric motor becomes a generator when you come off the power, helping replenish the battery. However, thanks to the restorative effects of the hydrogen fuel cell, you can do a respectable 225 miles between fill-ups. Only then do you need either to inject more hydrogen into the tank, plug it in to charge the batteries, or both. And unlike the Prius, HySeries Drive truly is a zero-emissions car, with no carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide sneaking out.
