眾所周知，元素周期表排行第一的化學(xué)元素氫(H), 是宇宙中含量最為豐富的元素。它的生物學(xué)意義是無(wú)可爭(zhēng)議的，但它對(duì)替代性驅(qū)動(dòng)技術(shù)的重要性，目前顯然是被低估了。
我要清楚地說(shuō)明的是，奔馳GLC燃料電池車，不僅符合汽車最高的安全標(biāo)準(zhǔn)，且性能表現(xiàn)讓人驚掉下巴。我的二位同事，Sebastian Mock 和Christian Göke，親自試駕了GLC氫能燃料電池汽車，讓我們一起看看這款車在現(xiàn)實(shí)中表現(xiàn)如何吧。下面的文章中，將能看到這二位試駕者有關(guān)GLC燃料電池車的試駕報(bào)告。
而我想要先說(shuō)的是，插電式混合動(dòng)力汽車本身：
回到1994年，奔馳發(fā)布了NECAR1（全新的電動(dòng)汽車）-這是世界上第一款燃料電池汽車。這輛車是一款廂式貨車，車上全是技術(shù)。NECAR2隨后進(jìn)行了小型的系列生產(chǎn)，一直到B級(jí)燃料電池汽車(燃料消耗：每百公里用氫0.97公斤，無(wú)CO2排放)開(kāi)始環(huán)游世界。
NECAR1行駛里程達(dá)130公里
NECAR1面世23年后，奔馳推出了他們的預(yù)生產(chǎn)車GLC，我對(duì)這款SUV的第一印象就是，設(shè)計(jì)非常棒。這款車顯然跟以前的廂式貨車有很大不同，它看起來(lái)更像一輛運(yùn)動(dòng)型的SUV。
是說(shuō)這款車很普通嗎？那可不！2H2 + O2 = 2H20 = 0，真正的零排放！
2017法國(guó)克福車展-GLC試生產(chǎn)的GLC燃料電池車全球首發(fā)
GLC 燃料電池汽車介紹
這是一款全電動(dòng)的插電式混合電動(dòng)汽車，也就是說(shuō)，它是輛燃料電池進(jìn)行驅(qū)動(dòng)的電動(dòng)汽車，并可外接充電電池進(jìn)行補(bǔ)充電能。 在汽車發(fā)動(dòng)機(jī)里，氫氣和氧氣通過(guò)燃料電池電池發(fā)生化學(xué)反應(yīng)，產(chǎn)生電能，驅(qū)動(dòng)汽車?；瘜W(xué)反應(yīng)過(guò)程的唯一副產(chǎn)品是水汽和熱。
在用氫的模式下，這款燃料電池車行駛里程可達(dá)400公里。鋰電池是電機(jī)的另外一種補(bǔ)充能源，它將汽車的續(xù)航里程增程了49公里。和驅(qū)動(dòng)系統(tǒng)一樣，它的電池位于SUV車身的后面。
在我同事SebastianMock和Christian Göke的試駕報(bào)告中，這款車可長(zhǎng)時(shí)間的駕駛讓人印象深刻。所以，這款混合動(dòng)力的汽車的優(yōu)勢(shì)之一是它的行駛里程比較長(zhǎng)，而且這種長(zhǎng)距離的駕駛完全沒(méi)有任何廢氣的排放。
GLC 燃料電池概念車
如果要把GLC單純的跟一款純電動(dòng)汽車相比的話，你會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn)，GLC不僅行駛里程長(zhǎng)，而且“加氫”用時(shí)短。約用3分鐘，就能把被碳纖維包裹的氫罐裝4.4公斤氫，壓力為70MPa。
現(xiàn)在德國(guó)投入使用的加氫站有45座。這數(shù)字讓人高興不起來(lái)。但放眼全世界來(lái)看，德國(guó)在全世界排名第2了，排在第一的是日本，它投入使用的加氫站已達(dá)91座。
德國(guó)的加氫站網(wǎng)絡(luò)的情況正變得越來(lái)越好，因?yàn)榈聡?guó)計(jì)劃到2019年建成100座加氫站，到2023年建成400座。現(xiàn)在德國(guó)1公斤的氫要9.5歐元。假設(shè)每跑百公里用一公斤的氫，那么這種成本跟傳統(tǒng)的燃油車已經(jīng)變得差不多了。
但是，開(kāi)著這種混合動(dòng)力的汽車感受如何？為了規(guī)劃行駛路線，你要做什么功課，才能不至于在沒(méi)有任何加氫站的地方不會(huì)有麻煩？想了解更多，參考我二位同事的報(bào)告吧！
駕乘一：開(kāi)著燃料電池汽車在德國(guó)行駛1800公里
作者：體驗(yàn)人，Sebastian Mock-2018年6月30號(hào)以前，一位儲(chǔ)氫罐系統(tǒng)和氫能技術(shù)領(lǐng)域的國(guó)際標(biāo)準(zhǔn)開(kāi)發(fā)工程師，7月1號(hào)以后，成為電池安全團(tuán)隊(duì)的一員。
周末來(lái)臨，更讓人激動(dòng)的是，GLC 汽車也就停在我家門前。
因?yàn)镚LC目前仍在功能測(cè)試的驗(yàn)證階段，所以我才有了這個(gè)特別的機(jī)會(huì)進(jìn)行一次私人試駕。我很快就決定了自己的目的地-我要從Swabia開(kāi)車去下Lower Saxony，去探望家人。所以我準(zhǔn)備好開(kāi)車去了。
盡管德國(guó)的加氫站數(shù)量在不斷的增長(zhǎng)，但如此長(zhǎng)的行駛里程，還是要提前規(guī)劃好。要做到也很容易，非常感謝智能手機(jī)的APP?，F(xiàn)在我已經(jīng)查好了我要經(jīng)過(guò)的加氫站，并準(zhǔn)備出發(fā)了！
加氫站路線和手機(jī)APP里的加氫站
當(dāng)汽車開(kāi)始啟動(dòng)，一陣靜音后，有點(diǎn)兒輕微敲擊雜音。這種聲音是由閥門的活動(dòng)引起的。安靜的驅(qū)動(dòng)系統(tǒng)讓我變得興奮起來(lái)，我駛向了高速公路。
在經(jīng)停的第一座加氫站，加氫的速度非?？?，就仿佛在給一輛汽油車或是柴油車在加油。不僅如此，我還能迅速的再次開(kāi)車離開(kāi)。在行駛的過(guò)程中，比較特別的是在Kamen, North Rhine-Westphalia北萊茵-威斯特法利亞加氫的經(jīng)歷。
這座加氫站，就緊挨著特斯拉的超級(jí)充電樁。在特斯拉的駕駛員們還在等候充電并露出他們驚訝表情時(shí)，我已經(jīng)迅速的加滿氫氣又再次上路了。1：0，燃料電池汽車勝一籌。
整個(gè)駕駛充滿樂(lè)趣。汽車系統(tǒng)的輸出功率是147千瓦，可滿足每一個(gè)需求。盡管我沒(méi)有一次行駛達(dá)437公里（GLC官方給出的最遠(yuǎn)行駛里程），我所需要做的就是，從斯圖加特到明斯特的過(guò)程中，我只需要加一次氫就可以了。該輛車完全滿足了日常的使用。
在北萊茵-威斯特法利亞的加氫站
當(dāng)我到了下薩克森州后，這輛車圍觀的人越發(fā)多了。我特別喜歡這樣回答他們說(shuō)：“通常我不怎么樣關(guān)注汽車的，但我非常喜歡這輛車！”
在下薩克森州的南部，加氫站還是非常稀少的，GLC的混合動(dòng)力系統(tǒng)，剛好能充分展示出了其優(yōu)勢(shì)所在。13.8千瓦時(shí)的輸出功率，我可以在不使用氫能燃料電池系統(tǒng)的情況，滿足日常出行需要。
結(jié)論就是，盡管GLC是一款非常棒的汽車，我反而更喜歡它的燃料電池系統(tǒng)。很多人都把電動(dòng)汽車和長(zhǎng)時(shí)間的充電聯(lián)系在一起，但GLC的出現(xiàn)證明了，事實(shí)并不是如此。
我希望這次經(jīng)歷，可以幫助展示此項(xiàng)技術(shù)的應(yīng)用潛力，以后能見(jiàn)到越來(lái)越多的這樣的汽車。為此，我想對(duì)在此領(lǐng)域發(fā)展取得巨大成就的同事們表示祝賀：GLC駕駛體驗(yàn)舒適，而且非常合適長(zhǎng)距離的行駛。
駕乘二：跨越國(guó)界：燃料電池汽車的Hansa綠色旅程2018
作者：體驗(yàn)人，Christian Göke-外部照明供應(yīng)商質(zhì)量工程師，他也是不萊梅發(fā)電廠的E-Mobility的項(xiàng)目經(jīng)理。
又到了Hansa綠色旅程時(shí)間了。這個(gè)國(guó)際性的汽車?yán)愐呀?jīng)舉辦了9屆了。這個(gè)拉力賽的特色就是，可以代表可持續(xù)發(fā)展的最新技術(shù)的項(xiàng)目。
今年的參賽者，有汽車愛(ài)好者，企業(yè)家，政治人士，他們所駕駛的車輛都安裝了像是沼氣或是氫氣的可發(fā)電的設(shè)施，一起前往德國(guó)、丹麥、荷蘭。這些系統(tǒng)包括了電池、電動(dòng)輪渡、及在使用過(guò)程中獲取燃料的氣電轉(zhuǎn)換的裝置。
今年，Albrecht von Haebler和我駕駛著在不萊梅生產(chǎn)的GLC參賽了。奔馳在不萊梅的工廠已經(jīng)是第六次參加這個(gè)拉力賽了。這次參賽給我們提供了一個(gè)展示最新汽車的好機(jī)會(huì)。
在阿姆斯特丹啟程
我永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)忘記2014年，在Hansa綠色旅程過(guò)程中第一次駕駛氫能燃料電池汽車的經(jīng)歷。那個(gè)時(shí)候，我們駕駛著B(niǎo)級(jí)的燃料電池汽車，從德國(guó)漢堡開(kāi)到了荷蘭哥本哈根。
從阿姆斯特丹出發(fā)
然而，這次我發(fā)現(xiàn)，GLC燃料電池車的駕駛體驗(yàn)比B級(jí)的更高級(jí)！感覺(jué)就像在水面上沖浪。
在阿姆斯特丹啟程的時(shí)候，這款車較大的優(yōu)勢(shì)就顯現(xiàn)出來(lái)了。GLC的混合動(dòng)力系統(tǒng)，可充電的系統(tǒng)，可讓我們?cè)诿恳粋€(gè)經(jīng)停的站進(jìn)行充電。在荷蘭的話，跟加氫站相比的話，充電樁更為常見(jiàn)。這也讓我們一直在開(kāi)啟著電動(dòng)模式，盡可能的節(jié)省了氫氣，充滿電一次可行駛50公里。
對(duì)傳統(tǒng)的化石燃料的汽車來(lái)說(shuō)，行駛里程顯得并不是那么的重要，但對(duì)純電動(dòng)汽車的司機(jī)們來(lái)說(shuō)，這是需要考慮的首要因素了。對(duì)GLC這款車來(lái)說(shuō)也是如此，特別是在拉力賽模式時(shí)，Albrecht就仔細(xì)的記錄了汽車的燃料和電力的消耗情況。
Albrecht 和我在加氫站
我希望能盡快見(jiàn)到這種技術(shù)已經(jīng)成熟的車輛，可行駛在城市的大街小巷中。原因之一，在旅程中，我們見(jiàn)到了非常多的電轉(zhuǎn)氣項(xiàng)目。這些汽車產(chǎn)生氫氣，是GLC 理想的燃料。
當(dāng)2名荷蘭的政客詢問(wèn)我，是否可以把GLC燃料電池車作為他們的官方用車時(shí)，我希望見(jiàn)到越來(lái)越多這樣的車的意愿也就越強(qiáng)烈了。但不幸的是，我沒(méi)辦法邀請(qǐng)他們來(lái)我們客戶中心簽訂合同，因?yàn)閺慕衲昵锛鹃_(kāi)始，這些車輛將首先會(huì)租給我們選定的客戶。
我相信，全新的GLC燃料電池車的反響肯定會(huì)非常好。我也希望，這項(xiàng)技術(shù)能利用到其它的車輛中。我完全的被這項(xiàng)技術(shù)征服了。
正如所知，大部分的氫氣還是通過(guò)天然氣制氫獲得的。這會(huì)使得整個(gè)碳排放鏈條的CO2排放量減少25%以上。最為重要的是，氫可以是完完全全的綠色的-比如說(shuō)是通過(guò)可再生能源制氫，這是一個(gè)值得我們追求的目標(biāo)！
（來(lái)源：作者：Felix Coutandin，德國(guó)奔馳汽車公司產(chǎn)品和技術(shù)溝通實(shí)習(xí)生。）
翻譯：氫裝上陣
英文原文：
The chemical symbol H. Most people know it; the chemical element in the upper left-hand corner of the periodic table — hydrogen. It’s the most common chemical element in the universe. Its biological significance is undisputed; its importance for alternative drive technology is underestimated. But fuel cell technology has the potential to become a major solution.
Let me make it clear right away that the GLC F-Cell meets the highest safety standards and is nonetheless a real jaw-dropper. Two of my colleagues, Sebastian Mock and Christian Göke, tested the vehicle for you to find out how it performs in real life. You’ll find the two test drivers’ reports further down in this article. However, I’d first like to tell you more about our plug-in hybrid itself:
Back in 1994, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the NECAR 1 (New Electric Car) — the world’s first fuel cell vehicle. The vehicle was a van that had its entire cargo area filled with technology. The NECAR 1 was followed by further small production series, all the way to the B-Class F-Cell (fuel consumption: 0.97 kg H?/100 km; combined CO? emissions: 0 g/km), which traveled around the world in 2011.
NECAR1 with 130 km cruising range
Now, 23 years after the NECAR 1, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the GLC F-Cell preproduction vehicle. My first impression of the SUV is that it has a great design — it’s a GLC after all. The new vehicle clearly doesn’t have many similarities with the box-shaped delivery van of yesteryear. Moreover, there’s no trace left of the drive technology in the cargo area. On the contrary, It looks like a sporty SUV.
Is it normal? Not at all! Blue highlights on the radiator grille, the sill trim, and the rear bumper indicate that this vehicle is truly something special. These markings show that the SUV stands for an equation that is as striking today as it was in 1994: 2H2 + O2 = 2H20 = 0 emissions.
I can scarcely believe that the only “exhaust product” of the GLC’s fuel cell system is water vapor. This is what makes the vehicle unique.
World premiere of the GLC F-Cell pre-series vehicle at IAA Frankfurt 2017
The GLC F-Cell in brief
If you look underneath the F-Cell’s hood, you will see that the vehicle is an all-electric plug-in hybrid. This means that it is the first electric vehicle to be powered by a fuel cell that is augmented by a battery that can be externally charged.
The fuel cell system in the vehicle’s engine compartment reacts hydrogen with oxygen. This generates electricity, which, in turn, powers the electric motor. It’s a kind of on-board power plant. Are there any exhaust gases? Nope! The only byproducts of the reaction are water and heat. I think this technology is really fascinating!
The F-Cell can travel more than 400 km in H2 mode. The lithium-ion battery, which is used as an additional source of energy for the electric motor, extends the vehicle’s range by 49 km. Like the drive system, the battery is located in the rear of the SUV.
These statistics make it clear that the F-Cell can be driven much farther than just to a nearby bakery. The vehicle can also travel long stretches, as my colleagues Sebastian Mock and Christian Göke impressively demonstrate in their reports. One of the hybrid’s advantages is thus without a doubt its long range — moreover, it drives this distance completely emission-free.
Vehicle concept GLC F-Cell
If you would like to compare the GLC against a purely battery-powered vehicle, you’ll not only notice the range, but also the much shorter “refueling time.” It takes only about three minutes to fill the F-Cell’s two carbon-fiber-covered fuel tanks with 4.4 kg of hydrogen at 700 bar.
There are currently 45 H2 filling stations operating in Germany. To be honest, this figure is unsatisfactory. But it still puts Germany into second place worldwide, surpassed only by Japan, which has 91 H2 filing stations.
However, the situation is about to get better, because Germany’s network is scheduled to grow to 100 H2 filling stations in 2019 and 400 in 2023. One kilogram of hydrogen currently costs €9.50. If you assume that the vehicle consumes one kilogram of H2 per 100 km, the costs will be similar to those of a conventional combustion engine.
But how is it like to drive a plug-in hybrid and how much effort is needed to plan routes so that you don’t get stranded on a lonely country road without any fuel? To find out more, read the reports from my two colleagues!
Driving the F-Cell 1,800 km through Germany
Author: Sebastian Mock — until June 30 a development engineer for hydrogen fuel tank systems and international standards in the hydrogen technology sector; since July 1 a member of the product safety team for batteries.
The long anticipated weekend is finally here. Moreover, the GLC F-Cell is here as well — ready to drive off right in front of my house.
Because the preproduction vehicles are currently in the validation phase having their functions tested, I had the special opportunity to take the GLC F-Cell on a private test drive. I quickly decided on a destination: I would leave Swabia and head to Lower Saxony in order to visit my family. So I’m now ready to drive off. Or maybe not.
Despite the growing number of H2 filling stations, such a long trip has to be well planned in advance. This is easily done, however, thanks to smartphone apps. Now that I’ve planned my refueling stops I’m truly ready to go!
Route with fuel stops and app with H2-filling stations
When I start the system, there’s a brief clicking noise followed by silence. The noise was caused by the activation of the valves. The quiet electric drive system makes me even more hyped. I drive onto the highway.
During my first stop at a filling station, I fill up the tank as quickly as if I was refueling a car with a gasoline or diesel engine. Moreover, I can immediately drive off again. A special highlight of the trip was my refueling stop in Kamen, North Rhine-Westphalia. This H2 station is located right next to a Tesla Supercharger. I was refueled and on the road again before the waiting Tesla drivers could even express their surprise. 1-0 for the F-Cell.
Driving pleasure was guaranteed during the entire trip. The system’s output of 147 kW (around 200 hp) satisfies every wish. Although I didn’t quite achieve the official range of 437 km, I only had to make one refueling stop in order to travel from Stuttgart to Münster. The vehicle is therefore fully suitable for everyday use.
Fuel stop in North-Rhine Westphalia
The vehicle’s effect on viewers became apparent after I reached my destination in Lower Saxony. I was especially pleased by responses such as: “I don’t normally care about cars, but I’d like one like that!”
Because hydrogen filling stations are still extremely rare in the southern part of Lower Saxony, the F-Cell’s plug-in hybrid system was able to fully demonstrate its strengths. The output of 13.8 kWh enabled me to cover the distance of a daily trip solely by means of the battery and without any driving restrictions.
I’ve concluded that although the GLC is a great vehicle when it is powered by conventional drive technology, I like it with the fuel cell system even a bit more. Many people associate electric mobility with batteries and long charging times. The F-Cell proves that this is not necessarily the case.
I hope that it will help to demonstrate the technology’s potential and that we will see many more of them in the future! So with that in mind, I would like to congratulate the development colleagues for their achievement. The vehicle is a complete success — it offers great ride comfort and is ideal for long distances.
Crossing national borders: Taking the F-Cell on the Hansa Green Tour 2018
Author: Christian Göke — supplier quality engineer exterior lighting; he’s also the project manager for E-Mobility at the Bremen plant.
It’s time again for the Hansa Green Tour. This international automobile rally is being held for the ninth time. The rally’s stations feature the latest sustainable technology projects.
This year’s participants, who consisted of a mixture of car enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and politicians, drove vehicles equipped with electric or other alternative drives (e.g. biogas, hydrogen) to exciting destinations in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The various systems included battery banks, electric ferries, and power-to-gas units that use a chemical process to obtain fuel gas.
This year, Albrecht von Haebler and I drove the GLC F-Cell, which was produced in Bremen. The Mercedes plant in Bremen has participated in the Tour now for the sixth time. The rally always provides us with a great opportunity to show off our latest vehicles.
Tourstart in Amsterdam
I’ll never forget how I got my first experience with a fuel cell vehicle during the Hansa Green Tour 2014. Back then, we drove a B-Class F-Cell from Hamburg to Copenhagen.
However, I noticed right away that the GLC F-Cell offers a higher-level driving experience than the B-Class F-Cell! I feel like I’m surfing on water with my power kite.
One of the vehicle’s big advantages became apparent right at the start of the tour in Amsterdam. The GLC F-Cell’s plug-in charging system enabled us to recharge the battery at every stop along the route. Compared to hydrogen filling stations, battery charging points are very common in the Netherlands. This allowed us to save hydrogen, drive in e-mode, and always have a fully charged battery that lets one drive for 50 km.
Although range isn’t really that important for vehicles that run on fossil fuels, it is a primary concern for the drivers of all-electric automobiles. Such is also the case with the GLC F-Cell, especially when it was in rally mode during the Tour. That’s why Albrecht carefully recorded the vehicle’s fuel and electricity consumption.
Albrecht and me at the H2-filling station
I soon want to see more of these technologically mature vehicles out on the road and in city streets. One of the reasons for this is that we saw many power-to-gas projects during the Tour. These vehicles produce CO2-neutral hydrogen, which is an ideal climate-neutral fuel for the GLC F-Cell.
My desire to see even more of these vehicles was boosted further when two Dutch politicians asked me whether they could have a GLC F-Cell as an official car. Unfortunately, I was unable to invite them to come to our customer center to sign a contract, because the vehicle will first be leased to selected customers, starting in fall.
I’m convinced that the new GLC F-Cell will meet with an extremely good response. I also hope very much that we will be able to install fuel cell technology into additional vehicle models. This technology has completely won me over.
Good to know: Most hydrogen is still produced from fossil sources such as natural gas. This reduces CO2 emissions in the overall chain by more than 25 percent. It’s crucial, however, that hydrogen be produced completely “green” — i.e. from renewable sources of energy. It’s an objective that’s well worth pursuing!
Felix Coutandin, 25, is currently doing an exciting internship at Product & Technology Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. In October 2018 he will return to the University of Mainz in order to earn a master’s degree in communications management. Until then, he will enjoy the various interesting insights he gains into technological innovations.
