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| Ford of Canada delivers hydrogen-fueled vehicles
Hydrogen-fueled buses replace gasoline-powered units used by Senate of Canada in Ottawa | |||
| 13 Dec 2006
: Ford of Canada became the first automaker to deliver hydrogen-fueled vehicles for fleet use in Canada. Three shuttle buses featuring internal combustion engines that produce nearly zero emissions will replace gasoline-powered buses used by the Senate of Canada in Ottawa. Ford of Canada is preparing seven more hydrogen shuttle buses for use in other regions of Canada. The first of the three hydrogen internal combustion engines arrived Dec. 7 in Ottawa. The leading-technology buses are part of the Senate’s environmental initiative and will be in everyday use. Industry Canada has invested $4.2 million toward the Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project, marking the first time that hydrogen, and not gasoline, will fuel internal combustion engine shuttle buses in Canada in actual driving conditions. The government’s contribution under Industry Canada’s Hydrogen Early Adopters program is part of an $8.5 million project being undertaken by Ford of Canada — in partnership with ATFCAN, the not-for-profit group that promotes the use of clean energy and innovative technologies — to demonstrate the operation of hydrogen-powered shuttle buses in real-world conditions. Five firms in four provinces were involved in the development, testing and production of the hydrogen internal combustion engine bus. The 235-horsepower, 6.8-liter engine was made at Ford’s Windsor Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario, and high-pressure storage tanks were made by Calgary’s Dynatek Industries. Bus bodies were made by Les Entreprises Michel Corbeil of St.-Lin-Laurentides, Quebec, while the hydrogen fuel is being supplied by Air Liquide of Montreal. Cold-weather testing was done in northern Manitoba. “The hydrogen internal combustion engine project will help Ford of Canada demonstrate the commercial viability of using hydrogen as a safe and clean alternative to fossil fuels,” says Bill Osborne, president and CEO of Ford of Canada. “Hydrogen internal combustion engine technology represents an important step toward hydrogen becoming a viable motor fuel.” Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines have many advantages, including high efficiency, all-weather capability and near-zero emissions of regulated pollutants and greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide). The engines can also be easily made hybrid for further gains in fuel efficiency. While the shuttle buses with hydrogen internal combustion engines will provide valuable real-world experience, Ford is also conducting research into next-generation hydrogen internal combustion engines, including features such as direct injection to enhance power and fuel economy. “We have only scratched the surface in terms of what can be achieved with hydrogen internal combustion engine technology and are serious about maintaining our edge in this field,” says Vance Zanardelli, chief engineer, Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines, Ford Motor Company. |
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