Who will be the first Norwegian behind the wheel of a full size hydrogen powered fuel cell car?

You have seen photos of politicians filling them up. Companies can order them for their fleet and three of them (Daimler’s F-CELL) recently completed a 30.000 km journey around the world to prove the technological viability and reliability. Now the Norwegian public gets the opportunity to test drive eight of these hydrogen powered Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) outside Aker Brygge. Everyone with a driver’s license is invited for a 20-minute test-drive on the streets of Oslo. A fuel cell vehicle expert will accompany you and is ready to explain the technology and answer your questions.

Venue, time schedule and cars:

Saturday, 26th November 2011 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: Round about in front of Aker Brygge, next to tram station.

Public Test driving of 8 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVS):

2 Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL

2 Hyundai ix35 FCEV

4 Th!nk City cars

Journalist Participation

The press is invited to catch the first impressions and reactions as the people of Oslo encounter these zero-emission cars. Journalists are welcome to pre-register for test drives. For some, we can also schedule participating in refueling at the new hydrogen station in Oslo (Gaustad). 

Quiet and dynamic driving experience

Members of the public will be among the first in the world to experience FCEVs in real-world conditions. The drive is purely electric and their powertrain is as silent as your laptop. As for all electric cars, FCEVs offer a very dynamic driving experience due to their instant acceleration. In terms of comfort, FCEVs are on a par with today’s conventional diesel and gasoline cars.

"The great thing about the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL is that it is just like driving a normal car - apart from the fact that there are no emissions and no engine noise", says Johnny Kristian Danielsen, Director Passenger Cars of Mercedes-Benz Norway. "We hope as many as possible can come to Aker Brygge and try the car themselves", Danielsen continues.

FCEVs – cars of the future

Several major car manufacturers will mass produce FCEVs from 2014 on. “The fuel cell represents a decisive step forward for electromobility, as it enables zero emission driving with high ranges and short refuelling times”, remarked Prof. Herbert Kohler, Vice President eDrive & Future Mobility of Daimler AG, as the vehicles passed the finish line of the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive in June this year.

FCEVs neither emit exhaust fumes nor engine noise; they only leave behind pure water (H2O). The electric motor is supplied with electricity that is produced onboard by a fuel cell. In the fuel cell, hydrogen is merged with oxygen from the air, producing electricity and water.

But alternative fuels require new infrastructures. In the case of the FCEV, this means hydrogen refuelling stations. Therefore within the EU-funded project H2moves Scandinavia, the energy sector, the automotive industry and governments work closely together.

SINTEF has been engaged in fuel cell and hydrogen technology research for more than two decades. "In line with SINTEF's vision – Technology for a better society" it is with pride that we support this demoproject as a natural step towards market introduction for fuel cell technologies", says SINTEF's CEO Dr. Unni Steinsmo. 

Highlights from the H2moves Scandinavia project

The aim of the project H2moves Scandinavia is to accelerate the market introduction of FCEVs. By operating several FCEVs in Scandinavia and having built a new hydrogen refuelling station in Oslo, the broad public is introduced to this technology, which is on the edge to full commercialization. In summer 2012, H2moves Scandinavia will perform a road tour through Europe to showcase the vehicles together with a transportable hydrogen refuelling unit specially developed for this tour.

This project is supported by the European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) Programme. FCH JU was officially launched by the European Commission in October 2008, H2moves Scandinavia is the first FCH JU funded European Lighthouse Project (LHP). The total budget is € 20 million of which € 7,8 million are public support from FCH JU. Additional support is provided by both the Danish EUDP and Norwegian TRANSNOVA programs and from the involved industry partners.

Further questions and pre-registration for journalists, please contact:

Sofia Capito, H2moves Scandinavia Coordinator Public Driving, Ludwig-Boelkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, +49 89 608110 - 41, Sofia.Capito@LBST.de

On our website http://www.flickr.com/photos/h2moves_scandinavia you can find images for download in high quality.