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Ford celebrates production of Hydrogen-powered Focus
2004-10-29 - By Philip Byrne
Ford Motor Company has celebrated the production of a new Focus Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV), the first in a fleet of such cars that will be deployed in the US, Germany and Canada.
 The Focus FCV is one of the industry's first fuel cell vehicles that combines the improved range and performance of hybrid technology with the overall benefits of a fuel cell.
The Focus FCV looks and drives like other Focus cars on the road. Under the bonnet is a sophisticated hybrid electric powertrain. Under the floor pan is a hydrogen fuel cell and auxiliary energy system that supplies electricity to the powertrain. And in the boot is a hydrogen tank that carries the car's renewable hydrogen fuel.
The fuel cell engine converts chemical energy into electric energy using hydrogen fuel and oxygen from air. The electric energy then powers the car's electric drive motor, producing only water vapour and heat as by-products.
The evaluation fleet will be placed in demonstration programmes in the US, Canada and Germany. Ford, Ballard Power Systems and DaimlerChrysler have formed an alliance that is at forefront of fuel cell research and development and which will see FCVs placed in the hands of customers on four continents over the next 6months for evaluation. Over the next 2 years more than 120 Alliance-built fuel cell vehicles will be on the road in thirteen different countries.
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