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| Mr. Clean: notice absence of exhausts |
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All FCVs employ the same basic tricks to convert hydrogen into power. The onboard hydrogen supply sends it into the fuel cell at one end. The hydrogen reacts with a catalyst as it passes over a polymer electrolyte. The atoms are split into protons and electrons; protons pass through the polymer to a cathode, but the electrons can't pass through the polymer - they get ushered through an external circuit to create the electrical current to drive the motor. The final stage sees oxygen at the cathode combine with the protons and electrons from the hydrogen to produce water and heat as by-products. Remember the extra radiator at the front of the X-Trail? That keeps the stack cool by removing the excess heat generated when oxygen enters the fray.
Simple everyday manoeuvres - starting and stopping, turning - certainly take on more import in such an advanced, expensive machine. But the X-Trail FCV behaves just as you would expect it to. The controls are light, the steering responsive, while the suspension soaks up pot holes with ease. I've got a good view over the traffic in front of me, too.
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| Inside, it's not too futuristic |
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It's the silence that gets me. The only other car I've driven which is near-silent is a Toyota Prius - but once you get up to speed in that the Prius' petrol engine kicks in and spoils the illusion. In the X-Trail, you feel a little disconnected from everything. There's a slight delay from when you push the accelerator and when the Nissan moves off, too - but this is a minor complaint when you consider all the other work that goes on to make hydrogen move a car.
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