APFCT Reveals New Fuel Cell Scooter- ZES on April 15th at the Motorcycle Taiwan 2010
| Date：2010-04-13 |
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Public Test Ride is available
On April 15-18 2010, Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies Ltd (APFCT) will be exhibiting at the Motorcycle Taiwan 2010 at Taipei World Trade Center (booth D829). It will reveal its newest generation of fuel cell scooter ZES at 2pm on April 15 at the center stage of the show and will provide the public the opportunity for a test ride at “Outdoor Test-ride Zone”. The time for the test ride is from 10:00 to 17:00 every day during the Show. The eye catching ZES is powered by a fuel cell-battery hybrid engine system. Technology Manager Rick Hsiao said, ZES is positioned as a short-range transport for inner-city commute with a maximum speed of up to 46 kilometers per hour. The main difference between ZES and APFCT’s previous scooters is that the structure design of its fuel cell power train is more compact. The fuel cell power train is smaller and lighter, about 15% of reduction in weight. The stability and handling of the system has also been improved. In terms of vehicle performance, ZES is higher at the starting, acceleration and the climbing ability increase to 10 degree.
For refueling, ZES uses APFCT’s unique and service proven low- pressure metal hydride hydrogen canister in combination with canister exchange model. Each scooter is equipped with two canisters. When hydrogen is depleted, the empty canister can be easily removed and exchanged for fully charged ones at existing gasoline filling stations. The entire fueling process would take only a minute or so. After charging the canisters, users can immediately ride the scooter away. In comparison with battery electric scooter, the refueling is much faster and more convenient. It is more in line with the pace of modern living and current scooter usage habits. Low pressure metal hydride canister is the safest hydrogen storage method as recognized by the US DOE. Hydrogen canister exchange model is a highly mature model. It can utilize current network of gasoline stations or other retail networks to establish exchange points to enable the selling and exchange of hydrogen canisters. In this way, the driving range can be extended unlimited as with ICE vehicles.
The reduction of greenhouse gases emission (GHE) in transport is one of important objects in reducing GHE and slowing the effect of global warming for every country. In Taiwan, there are more than 10 million ICE scooters on the road and the GHE from scooters is one of main sources of GHE and the main reason of air pollution in urban areas in Taiwan. Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity at low temperature via the electrochemical process, completely free carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emission. Using fuel cells in light electric vehicles can have a significant contribution on the reduction of CO2 and improvement of air quality in cities. In addition there is no secondary contamination issue as with the disposal of spent batteries.
In the production of ZES, from the development of fuel cell stack, system integration to vehicle assembling, are all completed by APFCT. APFCT has been devoted to the development of fuel cell technology for more than 10 years. It is a leading company in Taiwan in this area and is the only one which develops and produces fuel cell scooters and LEV. The technologies are ready for commercialization in mass production. This year, APFCT’s scooters have been selected by BSMI (Bureau of Standards, Metrology & Inspection) in Taiwan to participate in the national project “The Program for Research the Techniques, Standards Verification & Validation of Hydrogen Fuel Cell scooter”. Its results will provide crucial information to BSMI to establish standards and codes for the usage of fuel cell scooters in Taiwan. Apart from fuel cell scooters, APFCT currently is also actively in the development of fuel cell micro cars and other LEVs.
Fuel cell system itself is a power generator, therefore, APFCT’s fuel cell system could not only be applied in transportation device, it also can become power generators as emergency or standby power sources for residential, commercial usage and as main power source for remote areas where the grid does not reach. Currently, APFCT has two power generator models available for the market.
For more information about ZES, APFCT and other products, please visit our booth (D829) at the Show.  |
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