Four federal Ministers today got a crystal-ball glimpse of the future and a chance to drive Ford's 21st century P2000, a hydrogen fuel cell-powered concept car, developed with significant Canadian content. A version of this lightweight family sedan could be in showrooms by 2004.

Within sight of the Peace Tower, Ford of Canada President and CEO Bobbie Gaunt briefed the ministers - Ralph Goodale, Natural Resources; John Manley, Industry; David Anderson, Environment; and David Collenette, Transport - on what she termed an "automotive milestone." She then invited the ministers, who have been strong supporters of developing new power sources like the Ballard fuel cell, to take the P2000 for a spin around Parliament Hill.

"Your vision parallels our own: to lead the way in providing the clean automotive technology that will power us into the new millennium," she told them.

"The P2000 embodies that vision beautifully," Gaunt continued. "Its powerplant is truly revolutionary. Many believe it poses the first real challenge to the internal combustion engine, which has propelled our world for nearly a century."

The P2000, which makes extensive use of aluminum, is due in no small part to Canadian ingenuity, she said. Developed by Ballard Power Systems of Vancouver, the fuel cell stacks - together with Ford's electric powertrain - deliver about 100 horsepower for performance similar to the Ford Taurus. In 1997, the federal government awarded Ballard an $8 million grant to help further the company's promising fuel cell research efforts.

Ford has invested $600 million in an enterprise that includes Ballard and other automakers. The P2000 is the company's first drivable prototype to emerge from the partnership.

Gaunt also lauded Alcan Aluminum Limited, which has invested some $200 million since the early 1990s to develop the special alloys for both P2000's sleek body and many of its structural parts. Alcan's investment also yielded the new bonding and welding technology required to build the P2000, which is about 40 per cent lighter than a current Ford Taurus.

Also on hand as evidence of Ford's multi-faceted work to develop environmentally responsible vehicles, was TH!NK city, a new two-seat, battery-powered electric vehicle currently being marketed to various Canadian organizations as part of a 50-vehicle demonstration program. Participants also saw a new Ford Ranger EV (electric vehicle), 16 of which are currently in service with six organizations in Quebec.

Earlier this year, Ford Motor Company introduced the new TH!NK Group brand, set up to provide innovative solutions for personal mobility. That makes Ford the only auto maker with an all-new brand dedicated to developing, marketing and delivering a full line of environmentally responsible vehicles.

TH!NK Group is comprised of two organizations - TH!NK Technologies and TH!NK Mobility. TH!NK Technology is responsible for developing and commercializing Ford's efforts in fuel cell technology, currently viewed as the most promising future alternative to the internal combustion engine. TH!NK Mobility markets a line of electric powered vehicles that also includes TH!NK bikes and the low speed, closed community four-seater, TH!NK neighbor.

P2000 represents a technology Canadians could be driving by 2004
The P2000 is Ford's first, no-compromise, family-sized fuel cell research vehicle. It also represents a technology that Canadian families could be driving by 2004, when Ford aims to bring fuel cell vehicles into limited production. The car demonstrates how pure hydrogen, converted to electricity within Ballard's revolutionary fuel cell, can provide clean, zero-emission power for a new generation of automobiles.

"It's a perfect example of the win-win solution we must deliver in order to be successful - one with no compromises to the environment or to consumer expectations," said Gaunt.

Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen without combustion. Hydrogen, which can be stored on board in either gaseous or liquid form, is electrochemically combined with oxygen from the air to produce electricity. The only emission from the P2000 is water vapour.

Ford uses Ballard's proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, considered the most promising for automotive applications. The Ballard system employs three stacks with a total of 400 PEM fuel cells. The system weighs in at just over 170 kilograms and produces 100 horsepower at peak.

Ecostar Electric Drive System
The P2000 employs an advanced, Ford-developed Ecostar Electric Drive System, an electric induction motor/transaxle and electric power inverter that weighs about 90 kilograms and produces peak power of 90 kilowatts. The electric power inverter converts raw direct current generated by the fuel cells to the alternating current that powers the electric motor and turns the wheels of the vehicle.

Ecostar was established in 1998 and is part of the Fuel Cell Alliance formed between Ford Motor Company, Ballard and DaimlerChrysler. Owned 62 per cent by Ford, Ecostar aims to revolutionize power electronics and electric drive systems - particularly as they relate to fuel cell-powered vehicles.

Ford a partner in California long-term, real-world fuel cell testing program
Using the technology previewed by the P2000, Ford is also helping lead the first long-term, real-world testing program for fuel cell-powered passenger cars in California. Other members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership include Ballard; automakers Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen and Honda; oil companies Arco, Shell and Texaco; and California's Air Resources Board, Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Commission.

The project will test the technology and market readiness for fuel cell vehicles - along with researching infrastructure issues - by placing about 50 fuel cell-powered cars and buses on California roads over the next few years.

The P2000 program is associated with Ford's participation in the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), which aims to develop an ultra energy-efficient midsize car with up to triple current fuel economy. PNGV is a collaboration among Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler AG, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Canadian Government and others.

Currently, fully half of Ford's global R&D budgets are allocated to environmental technologies, Gaunt told the ministers, government officials and industry executives. The P2000 is tangible evidence of Ford's company-wide commitment to deliver outstanding products to the marketplace - "cleaner, safer and sooner.

"At Ford, we want to set environmental standards, not just meet them," said Gaunt. "That's the difference between genuine leadership and mere compliance.

"I believe you can be a car enthusiast and an environmentalist. That's what consumers want; that's what we intend to give them."

   - Autoworld.com

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