|
Daihatsu is moving forward with the development of an electric vehicle powered by fuel cells that do not need to be externally recharged, for application within the limited size constraints of the light car.
In its class, the MOVE EV-FC is the world's first four-seater car to be powered by fuel cells. methanol reformer that forms the heart of the drive system, and the fuel cell stack, were both developed by Daihatsu, which has applied for a number of patents. The basic fuel cell technology was developed under the direction of
Osaka National Research Institute, of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry's Agency of Industrial Science and Technology. The fuel cell stack itself is among the world's smallest.
Key to the small size of the reformer is its ultrahigh-performance catalyst, which is based on Daihatsu's advanced catalyst technology of exhaust gas converter. This catalyst technology also succeeds in dramatically reducing carbon manoxide which acts as a poison for fuel cell power generation. Which fuel to use is still being studied, with research focusing mainly on liquid fuels for their storability. The model on display uses a methanol-based system.
|
