As with most things in life, preparation is the key. That is part of why Honda recently opened a fast-fueling hydrogen station in Torrance, California. The Japanese automaker will soon introduce its 2015 FCEV (full cell-electric vehicle), which boasts a range of 300 miles per charge. Titled the MC Fill, the new station can refill an empty battery in 45% less time than other current stations. With a greater number of full cell-electric vehicles in the works, more stations will be necessary to fill the need.
The MC Fill station monitors the surrounding temperature to make adjustments that expedite the process. In fact, the MC has scientific origins: the “M” stands for mass while “C” represents specific heat, which these are the two important values for a heat transfer equation. Regardless of the scientific jargon and equations, the simple fact of the matter is that a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle can be filled in fewer than three minutes. This new station not only conveniences current fuel-cell owners, it serves to validate the progress made by the Honda Corporation in providing practical means to refill its vehicles.
Honda R&D Americas Inc. Senior Engineer Steve Mathison recently said, “In order to meet customer expectations, hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles need driving ranges and fueling times comparable to conventional gasoline vehicles.”
This is in response to both the Torrance fueling station and Honda’s unveiling of its FCEV concept vehicles at the Los Angeles International Auto Show back in November. The FCEV seats five occupants and has a range of more than 300 miles. The production version is set to hit showroom floors in the United States in 2015.
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