Platinum Catalyst

[pmex]

General Motors unveils platinum catalyst fuel cell-powered Chevrolet Volt

http://www.platinum.matthey.com/uploaded_files/news%20room%20pics/chevy-volt.jpg
General Motors (GM) has developed a zero-emission battery and hydrogen fuel cell-powered car using a platinum catalyst as part of its Chevrolet Volt concept range.

For the new model, the electricity and gasoline-powered hybrid engine which was used in its forbear is replaced by a fuel cell, with a smaller battery being used to free up room.

The new car is more efficient than its predecessor thanks to the incorporation of a power release and storage battery system whereby the fuel cell stays at a constant rate at which it operates most efficiently, while the battery provides extra power for travelling at accelerated speeds and saves up power when the car is moving slowly.

Meanwhile, energy that is generated via braking is stored by the battery, which also makes for greater efficiency.

The car will initially be launched in China, where GM perceives it has a greater chance of securing a toehold in the market as a result of the country's relatively undeveloped energy infrastructure.

Nick Zielinski, of GM's advanced concept division, told Technology Review: "They [China] could develop a hydrogen infrastructure much sooner than we do here. And a fuel cell vehicle may make more sense than a plug-in-to-grid option because hydrogen may be much more accessible."

He added: "Hydrogen, when it's generated in a renewable way, produces no emissions. And that's where I think we'd like to get to."

GM's announcement of its battery and fuel cell-powered hybrid vehicle follows Ford's employment of similar technology in its P2000HFC concept car.








Anyone got anymore info on this car?

[Vaughntegrity]

I have a 2003 Honda Civic hybrid that performs in the exact same manner. As you break, stop pressing on the accelerator, or only push lightly on the accelerator going down a hill it will charge the battery, and when you're say.. pulling off at a stop light when it turns green or trying to go up a hill, it takes alot of energy from the lithium-ion battery. On the highway I get 45, on back roads with a full car and poor weather conditions I'll get as low as 30. GM and Ford both use antiquated technoloy but that's not such a bad thing. Now and days, most foreign car companies produce the wimpiest cars I've ever seen. Sure they'll chalk up their specs like any other company will, and naturally they have their special sports cars that they deem "high performance", but if you drive through a puddle in one of those things your car gets flooded or loses traction, they can't make it up a steep incline to save their lives (even my Honda can't really), and it's especially true when there's any sort of weather. Obama's control of the major American car companies will be the worst thing to happen to the car industry since they started making cars out of fiberglass and aluminum. He's gunnna load all these "fuel efficent" or other bull**** rules on the companies and the cars might be the smoothest running cars in the world but won't be able to go faster than 20 mph

[pmex]

Does your Hond look anything like this

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2007/02/2007-honda-civic-tour450.jpg

that actually doesn't look too bad....lol

but yeah i hear ya with them not having much power. when i lived in denver i test drove a couple hybrids and came to the conclusion they wouldn't work that well when i wanted to go up in the mountains.


what i really want is this:

http://www.rpmgo.com/images/fisker_karma.jpg

and now that i live in florida, the 50 mile charge is prolly all i need. just need to come up with that 80k they want.......lol

[pmex]

in case anyone was wondering;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma

The Fisker-Karma is a plug-in hybrid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_hybrid) luxury sports sedan revealed on 14 January (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_14) 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008) and manufactured by Fisker Automotive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Automotive),[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma#cite_note-EngadgetIntro-0) a joint venture of Quantum Technologies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Technologies)[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma#cite_note-1) and Fisker-Coachbuild (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fisker-Coachbuild&action=edit&redlink=1), LLC, announced September 5 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_5), 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007) [3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma#cite_note-fisker_automotive-2) and to be sold in the summer of 2009, manufacturing in this year fall, and delivering cars in early-mid 2010.[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma#cite_note-3) The Karma was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_International_Auto_Show).
The PHEV-50, 50 miles (80 km) all-electric range (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-electric_range), is anticipated in late 2009 to sell for US$ 80,000.[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma#cite_note-karma-4)
The Fisker-Karma is the first vehicle released by the Fisker-Automotive Company. The Karma features the Q-Drive technology and is powered by a innovative petrol engine/electric motors combination; Q-Drive is a series hybrid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_hybrid) system meaning that the engine is mated with a generator to provide an electrical connection to the motors and also recharge the batteries and as such the electric motors are the only mechanical driving force connected to the wheels. As a factory option the Karma can be fitted with a solar paneled roof not only to aid in the recharging of its Lithium-Ion batteries but also to aid the cabin climate control system. The solar roof is capable of a half kilowatt-hour a day [1] (http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/auto-show/37173/fisker-karma.jsp) and is estimated to provide up to 4 to 5 miles of additional range a week assuming continuously sunny days. [2] (http://www.cars.com/go/features/autoshows/vehicle.jsp?vehicletype=production&autoshowyear=2009&vehicle=production_fisker_karma&make=Fisker&model=Karma) Additionally, the car will offer a set of solar panels for the garage/house which may charge the Karma entirely 'off the grid'.
Although Fisker-Automotive has yet to release solid statistics regarding Karma’s fuel economy, the company estimates the average driver will only have to refill the fuel tank annually provided they do not drive more than 50 miles a day. Fisker-Automotive have also suggested that when in 'sport-hybrid' mode the Karma will be capable of doing 100 miles a gallon (2.35 ltr/100 km) of fuel consumed for a range of 300 miles. Despite its eco-friendly background the Karma features a 125 mph (201 km/h) top speed and is capable of reaching 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill in 5.8 seconds.

[ProfSnape]

Ok if Gold can goto $2000 an oz, then I think I will have a chance at buying one of these beauties ;)