Ford Debuts New HyDrive Hydrogen Electric Powertrain System

When Ford introduced the Airstream concept at this year’s North AmericanInternational Auto Show, it announced to the world that its HyDrive powertrain technology was not merely a brainstormed idea, but rather one that was already undergoing testing in a Ford Edge. Unfortunately for Ford, this demonstration was a case where the medium got more attention than the message itself, not to mention that rival GM also unveiled its own advanced electric vehicle technology in the form of the Chevrolet Volt. To rectify things, Ford unveiled the HyDrive testing prototype vehicle at the Washington DC Auto Show.

The HyDrive system combines three different drivetrain systems into one: a plug-in electric system, battery power and a hydrogen fuel source. For the first 25 miles, the HyDrive system draws its power from a 336-volt lithium ion battery pack; after this initial amount is drained, the car’s 9.9 pound, 350-bar Ballard hydrogen fuel cell switches on and is used to charge the battery pack. The car always operates on its battery power pack, unlike any existing hydrogen-powered vehicle. By switching the vehicle’s dependence away from hydrogen directly, Ford and Ballard were able to scale down the size, and more importantly the cost of the fuel cell.

Overall, the electric and the fuel cell systems combined give the HyDrive-powered Edge the ability to travel 225 miles between refills, though, in some tests, the vehicle was capable of driving up to 400 milies. Ford also says that this unique vehicle has a top speed of  85 mph, but hasn’t said anything about how quickly it can accelerate. Currently, the HyDrive system in the Edge delivers an average of 41 mpg in the city and on the highway, though, for those that commute less than 50 miles each day, that average is closer to 80 mpg. That’s less than what the Volt is capable of producing, but the Edge HyDrive is completely emissions free, whereas the Volt still releases CO2, NOx and other tailpipe emissions.

Just the same, Ford says that the hydrogen fuel cell could be replaced by a small gasoline, E85 or diesel engine which would turn the system into something very similar to the one featured in the Volt. It will be some time before we see anything like the HyDrive system on the road, even if it is to feature a conventional engine in place of its hydrogen fuel cell. Ford says that the technology for the batteries is a long way from being where it needs to be.

For those curious, the concept vehicle has a unique, matte black tailgate and lower fascia fender treatment, blacked out side trim, a rear spoiler and large nine-spoke alloy wheels sourced from the Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged, giving the Edge a strikingly modern street look. The interior has also been switched up, with a console and steering wheel sourced from the Edge’s cousin, the Lincoln MKX.