The fuel cell Explorer is the first in a series of hydrogen-powered vehicles to come from Ford Motor Company with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy


Ford Motor Company is raising the bar in the hydrogen fuel cell race unveiling an all-new fuel cell powered Ford Explorer at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show. The fuel cell Explorer can travel 350 miles on a single fill-up, more than any fuel cell vehicle on the road.

The fuel cell Explorer prototype is part of a series of vehicles partially funded by a contract with the United States Department of Energy and is the first vehicle to be publicly unveiled. The goal of the Technology Demonstration Vehicle program is to find a pathway for a fuel alternative to petroleum that has less environmental impact than current powertrain technology.

"We believe hydrogen may become a viable motor fuel in the long-term," said Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Research & Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company. "With these technology demonstration vehicles, Ford continues to lead the way in the development of hydrogen technology."

The fuel-cell Explorer comes equipped with the currently available advanced electric all-wheel-drive system, though a center-mounted hydrogen storage tank now occupies the space typically used for the 6-speed automatic transmission found in production Explorer models.

Locating the hydrogen storage tank in this area allowed engineers to design a larger tank and deliver a never-before-achieved 350-mile driving range for a fuel cell vehicle. This unique design maintains Explorer's six-passenger seating arrangement and the cargo capacity found in the production Ford Explorer.....

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