First Fuel-Cell Mini-vehicle to Begin Test on Public Roads

Daihatsu Motor Co. received road authorization on January 15, 2003, from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for its fuel cell-powered mini-vehicle, the "Move FCV-K-2," which feature a high-pressure hydrogen fuel cell hybrid system. This is the first authorization of its kind in Japan.

Daihatsu and Toyota Motor Corp. jointly developed the system. The two companies continue to collaborate in developing technology with the aim of spreading the use of fuel cell vehicles.

Move FCV-K-2 is a four-passenger vehicle with a maximum speed of 105 kilometers per hour. It can travel around 120 kilometers on one charge of hydrogen. It uses a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell known as the "Toyota FC Stack." This capitalizes on Daihatsu's hybrid technology by connecting nickel metal hydride secondary batteries in a series hybrid format, which leads to more efficient fuel cell operation. In addition, regenerative energy at braking is utilized to achieve system-wide efficiency.

Daihatsu started its assessment of fuel cell vehicle prototypes in 1972 and went into a full-fledged development in 1996. As two mini-cars received the ministry's authorization necessary for tests on public road, the company is starting experiments in the Kansai district first. It plans to collect a variety of driving data, assuming the vehicle is used for intra-city commuting, and to develop it further for commercialization.



Posted: 2003/02/10 11:14:36 AM
Japanese version