Volvo Powercell laddar lastbilar i USA
Within a couple of years, Swedish fuel cells could power trucks in America. That is one conclusion from Mistra’s fuel cell program "Fuel cells in a sustainable society" and research conducted together with Volvo Powercell.
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An average American truck runs on idle 200 hours per year. This is the case when the truckers on long routes sleep in their trucks while the engine continues powering heating and refrigerators. Emissions from this common practice equals more than eleven million tons of carbon monoxide per year. However, soon this will be a thing of the past, when Swedish fuel cell technology takes the place of engine power.Volvo Powercell has developed fuel cell powered electrical generators (APU) to produce electricity aboard, among other things, trucks. It is not only Volvo´s own trucks that are of interest for this technology.
“We are also looking at other applications, including among other areas, within the boat industry. There it is mainly the pleasure-boats that need a supply of electricity while in port," says Per Ekdunge of Volvo Powercell.
The APU deliver five kilowatt electricity. That equals the electricity that a residential boiler uses to heat a smaller house during winter time. Furthermore, Volvo´s APU is smaller, lighter and quieter than a diesel works. This opens up many possibilities for commercial applications where the fuel cell solution can be used.
“Fuel cells are completely emission free. In the long run the technique can also be used in hybrid vehicles," says Per Ekdunge.
Even today, cell fuels are commonly used to power scooters, wheel chairs and forklifts among other vehicles. They can also be used as reserve power units for telecommunication stations.
Mistra´s fuel cell program "Fuel cells in a sustainable society", ongoing since 1997, is currently in its´ last year. Currently there are plans to start a Swedish fuel cell center to maintain a high standard of efficiency and to attract capable researchers to the Swedish fuel cell research program in the future.
