Posted on 11/19/2014 2:35:31 PM PST by ckilmer
Audi announced it has mastered hydrogen fuel cell technology at the LA Auto Show Wednesday, where the company unveiled its new sustainable model — the A7 Sportback h-tron quattro.
The German auto giant’s new entry into the plug-in hybrid market features a hydrogen fuel cell and twin electric motor drivetrain in the front and rear of the vehicle, which can carry the car some 341 miles between three-minute refuelings. The electric battery alone can carry the car about 31 miles on a single two to four-hour charge, depending on the connection.
Altogether the h-tron’s all-green drivetrain cranks out 228 horsepower and separates the front and rear axels entirely for full electronically managed torque distribution. According to Audi, the A7 Sportback h-tron quattro can do 0-62 m.p.h. in 7.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 112 m.p.h.
“The A7 Sportback h‑tron quattro is a genuine Audi – at once sporty and efficient. Conceived as an e‑quattro, its two electric motors drive all four wheels,” Audi technical development leader Ulrich Hackenberg said. “The h‑tron concept car shows that we have also mastered fuel cell technology. We are in a position to launch the production process as soon as the market and infrastructure are ready.”
GM once held multiple patents on fuel cell technology, and could have had vision and cornered this market early - but didn’t.
Probably not as well that’s for sure. He has learned to profit from the government’s distortion of the marketplace.
Crony capitalism...it’s what makes the Chicago Mob such a potent force in politics.
Look at the list of companies donating to Podesta..it reads like the Fortune 500...
They’re all trying to purchase “protection”
But that would be too smart.
And the enviros would go ape stuffing crazy over it.
Get the thorium from coal tailings, then use some of the energy generated (there's about 12 times the energy in the thorium in coal, vs. burning the coal itself) to power the Fischer–Tropsch process that can, essentially, liquify coal into a usable fuel for vehicles (note that the Germans did this at the tail end of WW2, when they had lost access to oil fields). We have hundreds of years worth of coal, and can virtually cease importing liquid energy if we liquify the coal. Then, in combination with fracking, etc., we can become the world's largest exporter of energy. This will employ millions and generate such incredible income that we will be able to pay off the national debt in a few decades.
Which is exactly why the Leftists and the Watermelons (as if there's much of a difference) are against it.
Windmill pumping well water and generating electricity for the conversion process?
Helium vs Hydrogen
Helium = Hindenberg
Hydrogen is ALWAYS bound to other substances. Breaking apart the atomic bonds takes energy, as does compressing it, as does transporting it. While a hydrogen fuel cell will produce “green” emissions (i.e. simple H2O, water), the process to get to that point is highly energy inefficient. In other words, TANSTAAFL, tree-hugger fantasies notwithstanding.
We’re better off using oil as we do now, or going to LFTR reactors that will get electricity from thorium, and use a small portion of that energy to liquify coal into a petroleum-like substance that can be used for cars, trucks and aircraft.
Nope, I was wrong and you were right. Sorry about that.
Hydrogen was used in the Hindenburg.
Today they use helium.
Volkswagen Debuts Fuel-Cell Concept Car at 2014 L.A. Auto Show
...In this case, the alternative-fuel drivetrain is a fuel-cell system engineered by Volkswagen. The fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity that drives an electric motor...
Technically speaking, butyrate dope is used on fabric covering because of its low flammability. (See: Myths about the Hindenburg Crash)
Hindenburg was filled with hydrogen. The fire risk is why blimps use helium today.
“Get the thorium from coal tailings”
Send the enviros DOUBLY crazy, I love it!
That, and the fabric skin was doped with what amounted to rocket fuel.
Though at the time they didn’t know their doping agent was solid rocket fuel.
The irony is that hydrogen fuel cells produce water vapor which is the dominant greenhouse gas on Earth.
Wait until it drives off the dealer lot, the price drops 50% instantly.
That may be, but I’d hate to be paying the repair bills off-warranty.
May want to re-think that one.
Coming to the 24 huer du Le Mans .... Audi owns that circuit...
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