Ford will work on improving its use of platinum to increase efficiency with development already being seen in the results of the latest tests.

Along with improving the efficiency of the platinum catalysts, Ford has also focussed on increasing fuel cell life, improving reliability and increasing the ability to start under cold conditions.

The automaker has been testing a fleet of 30 vehicles which have now exceeded expectations by completing more than 865,000 real world miles.

No significant maintenance problems occurred during the test, which was launched three years ago.

Ford's fuel cell plans will also go even further after it agreed with the US Department of Energy to extend its three-year hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle programme for a further 24 months.

"We expected the fuel cells to be much more problematic under real world conditions, but it's a credit to our development process that the vehicles have been very robust," said Scott Staley, Ford hybrid and fuel cell development Chief Engineer in North America.

But Chris Gearhart, Ford Fuel Cell Technical Specialist, said there was still a lot to do.

"We have better development processes and robust disciplines in the way we're doing things," he said.



Source:

Ford fuel cell fleet exceeds performance expectations, test programme extended, 19/08/08
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