Ford’s Hydrogen Engine C-MAX

08/16/2004

Ford's intent to study the prospects of hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines bore fruit last year with its Focus-based H2RV hybrid electric vehicle. Now, with a new Focus C-MAX prototype, the company is furthering its developmental efforts in this area.

In Ford's view, the ultimate long-term goal is hydrogen-fueled fuel cells delivering clean, electric power. However, the commercial demand for hydrogen fuel must be established first, hence the development of prototypes like Ford's C-MAX. Since internal combustion technology is well established, Ford expects hydrogen internal combustion engines to be commercially viable long before fuel cells, thus effectively acting as a transitional stepping stone to fuel cell technology.

The C-MAX prototype's 110 horsepower, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine is equipped with a supercharger and dual intercoolers that compensate for the loss of power that comes with combusting hydrogen fuel. Compressed gaseous hydrogen is stored in three 5000 psi tanks that provide a range of just over 120 miles.

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