Hygenius: Mercedes' Fuel Cell Hybrid
by Justin Thomas, Virginia on 10.12.05
The "Hygenius" is a fuel cell hybrid that Mercedes-Benz will introduce at the upcoming Tokyo show. The car will utilize fuel cell technology in combination with an electric motor. The result is that the car functions much like current hybrids, without the gas (or diesel). At low speeds the motor draws its power from the battery alone. When you accelerate, both fuel cell and battery feed the motor in unison. The company points out that the fuel cell could also serve as a mobile power source, its 66 kW of electrical power being sufficient to keep several detached houses supplied with power. :: Green Car Congress
I want one! How long do you think this will take to get to market???
It's pretty freaking cool. I listened to the Bob Lutz podcast today (about future hybrid transmissions and them being variable shift enabled), and it was pretty cool. Before you buy a Toyota Prius, you should save your money, maybe get the used early two door honda hybrid, cause new stuff is coming, and Toyota won't be the only manufacturer making waves.
DaimlerChrysler lost my vote when they failed to import the Smart to the USA... My mom might be buying a PT cruiser, cause the convertible is just so bloody cute... But I really wish DC and Mercedes would do more than just pay lip-service to alternative fuels by going into production with one rather than spend so lavishly on just another show stopping concept car!