Volkswagen today took the wraps off the “Space Up! Blue” concept car. For the most part, the vehicle looks identical to the “Space Up!” concept that was unveiled earlier this year, but it’s what powers the concept that is real story here. It features the world’s first high temperature fuel cell and an array of twelve lithium-ion batteries.
Volkswagen says the high temperature fuel cell (HT-FC) system is superior to prior fuel cell technologies because it offers: considerably lower weight, significantly greater everyday utility, substantially lower price, and therefore clearly the better chances of becoming a reality someday as a mass produced technology.
When the 61 hp electric motor of the car is driven exclusively by battery, a range of 65 miles is possible — enough to handle nearly all distances in downtown areas.
Energy is “refueled” either via an electrical outlet or by the Volkswagen high-temperature fuel cell. In the latter case, the car’s range is extended an additional 155 miles. This makes it possible to drive up to 220 miles on a single “energy charge”.
With a large solar panel on the roof, up to 150 Watts of energy can also be fed into the battery.
