Volvo developing fuel cells to extend the electric car’s range

Volvo is already giving its first steps towards the next-generation electric car technology. With the collaboration of the Swedish Energy Agency the brand is now starting to develop a fuel cell that will extend the electric car's operating range without any carbon dioxide emissions.

The objective is to create two prototype chassis based on the Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric and to have them ready for testing in everyday traffic in 2012.

"This is an exciting expansion of our focus on electrification. Battery cost and size means that all-electric cars still have a relatively limited operating range. Fuel cells may be one way of extending the distance these cars can cover before they need to be recharged. What is more, the project gives us increased knowledge about fuel cells and hydrogen gas," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stefan Jacoby.

On this project Volvo is working together with the company Powercell Sweden AB. On the first phase of the project, a preliminary study is being conducted into what is known as a Range Extender, consisting of a fuel cell with a reformer. The function of the reformer is to break down a liquid fuel, in this case petrol, and create hydrogen gas. In the fuel cell, this hydrogen gas is converted into electrical energy, which is used to power the car's electric motor.

This technology generates electricity without making ay emissions of carbon oxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and particles.  Thanks to this process the emissions of CO2 are significantly reduced compared with a conventional vehicle. The end products are electricity, water and a small amount of carbon dioxide.

Thanks to the se of this technology Volvo expects to extend the electric car's operating range by up to 250 kilometres, in addition to the range provided by the car's battery pack.

In the next phase, pending support from the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo Cars and Powercell will produce two test cars based on the current Volvo C30 DRIVe Electric. The tests with the cars are expected to begin in 2012.

"We have just taken the first steps and it is naturally too early to talk about market introduction of electric cars with Range Extenders. The industrial decision will come after we have learned more about fuel cells and the opportunities they offer," says Stefan Jacoby.