Automotive Market

Fuel Cell Benefits

Ballard provides contract technical services and manufacturing services to AFCC Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation Corp. (AFCC), which is focused on research, development and design of fuel cells for Daimler and Ford vehicles. Passenger vehicles powered by fuel cells offer significant advantages over today’s internal combustion engines (ICEs).

Zero Emissions
Fuel cell stacks generate electricity without combustion, producing zero-emissions and little, if any, noise or vibration.

Increased Efficiency
Fuel cells have few efficiency limitations imposed on them in comparison to traditional combustion engines, and consequently have very high efficiencies in converting chemical energy to electrical energy.

Decreased Maintenance
Fuel cells offer significant maintenance gains over ICEs, as a result of a design that requires no moving parts. Activities consist principally of changing air filters and maintaining pumps. And, when not in motion fuel cell vehicles do not idle, so there is far less wear and tear.

Government Support
Globally, governments are recognizing the benefits of fuel cell vehicles and are introducing programs to encourage the adoption of alternative technologies.

To leverage the benefits of fuel cell vehicles and other alternative technologies, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has taken direct action to encourage and regulate the introduction and growth of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) within their state over the coming years.

Another example of leadership in addressing environmental concerns related to ICE technology comes from the European Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), which encourages demonstration fleets utilizing alternative technologies.

Also, the Shanghai Municipal Government has announced support for deployment of a significant number of fuel cell vehicles leading up to the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

In addition, many governments are supporting bus demonstration programs to showcase the benefits of fuel cell technology including, most recently, the government of British Columbia.

Additional information regarding the CARB ZEV Mandate, the 7th European Framework and the Shanghai initiative can be found on the Knowledge Library page.