| | |  Technology News | August 2008 
University Builds Mexico's First Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicle
 EFE News Service
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| | Scientists at the UNAM, the largest university in Mexico, have designed a hydrogen fuel cell automobile. Inspired by a cougar (not Mercury Cougar, the actual cat), which happens to be the school's mascot, the vehicle is actually a hybrid and will employ hydrogen only to power its nickel metal hydride battery. Reaching 50-55 mph, the car will be highway capable and have a range of roughly 190 miles. | | |
Mexico City - The National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM, is building the first compact hybrid vehicle in the country, the university said.
The Ecovia, which will operate on energy produced by hydrogen fuel cells and stored in a battery, is expected to be ready in three months, UNAM said.
The vehicle will be able to carry two passengers in the front and cargo in the rear.
The university said it planned to use the Ecovia for security patrols, traffic control and delivering mail, among other tasks.
"This vehicle has another advantage: when it's not moving, the energy generated by the fuel cells is stored in a battery so it can be used later," Ecovia project coordinator and chief designer Gerardo Arzate said.
If there is no hydrogen available for the fuel cells, the vehicle's batteries can be recharged from a wall outlet.
The Ecovia is noiseless and does not emit carbon dioxide or any other pollutants, releasing only water vapor into the atmosphere.
UNAM is the first Mexican public university to completely cover the funding for this type of a project, which has cost 4 million pesos (some $392,000) and taken two years. |
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