Ford and uni plot hydrogen future
Ford has announced it will support the building of Australia's first production-based hydrogen-fuelled automotive engineLPG might be the priority for the upcoming 'Orion' Falcon replacement (more here) but Ford is pushing ahead with hydrogen research Down Under.
Joining forces with the University of Melbourne, the company has confirmed its support of what it calls "a long-term research project" to study practical hydrogen-fuelled vehicle technologies.
Ford will contribute engines and resources to the project which will assist with engine and vehicle development. The study also received a $1.2m grant from the Victorian State Government this week.
"Ford Australia is proud to extend our relationship with the University of Melbourne through this important project," said Ford Australia chief, Tom Gorman.
"Globally, Ford Motor Company is a leader in the development of alternative fuel vehicles and technologies. The Escape Hybrid, our range of E85-capable flexi-fuel vehicles, and the recent showcasing of the world's first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability are all examples of our broader global efforts," said Gorman.
According to Ford, the Melbourne project is the first to research hydrogen engine alternatives using an Australian-sourced engine. Plans include the development and testing of a hydrogen-fuelled turbocharged Ford six-cylinder engine using Hydrogen Assisted Jet Ignition (HAJI) technology.
The study, which is due to begin in July, will also investigate hydrogen generation and storage technology.
Recently Ford boss Gorman stated the company would "optimise" any opportunities that surfaced as a result of the Federal Opposition's proposed 'Green Car Innovation Fund'.
"We would do everything we could to see if we could optimise within that [proposed] legislation but it's still very early days," he told the Carsales Network.
In late 2006, Ford Australia joined the University of Melbourne and the Victorian State Government to found the Advanced Centre for Automotive Research Technology (ACART) with an aim to enhance vehicle development in Australia. ACART will eventually include a new engine dynamometer facility, a diesel test cell, and a world-class environmental wind tunnel (located at Ford's Lara proving ground) available for use by the wider automotive development community.
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