THE SMALLEST FUEL CELL BY PSA

French group carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen unveiled the smallest fuel cell for cars, an 80 KW power unit, which release energy from the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen with a catalyst. It can run for 310 miles (500 km).

The cost of fuel cell. The cost and size of the fuel cells remained a problem. Part of the fuel cell is made from expensive precious metal as platinum. Another problem remains starting with cold temperatures.

PSA Chairman Jean-Marie Folz told that the best way to save on fuel consumption of cars in the short term was by boosting the use of diesel and by adding bio-fuel to diesel (Reuters 1/9/2006). Only for the medium term, hybrid diesel engines would offer further reduction in consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Fuel cells were for a later stage.

Andrea
23/01/2006