Ford's Fuel-Cell Explorer

Virtually every manufacturer is working on hydrogen fuel cells as the power source for tomorrow's vehicles. Well, here's Ford's latest effort--a fuel-cell-propelled Explorer SUV--and it already has racked up some impressive achievements.

Displayed at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, the fuel-cell Explorer was produced by Ford with support, at least in part, from the U.S. Department of Energy. With a massive hydrogen tank where the transmission would be in a conventionally powered Explorer, Ford says this fuel-cell Explorer has the greatest range of any fuel-cell vehicle yet devised with the ability to travel 350 miles between refills. In fact, the company says this Explorer has over 17,000 miles on its odometer and has set a record for a fuel-cell vehicle by traveling 1556 miles around the test track at Ford's Dearborn Development Center in Michigan during a single 24-hour period.

The drivetrain itself consists of two 65-kilowatt electric motors grabbing current from a 60-kilowatt Ballard fuel cell--all of which fits into the Explorer's familiar skin while maintaining room for six in the cabin. Interesting, but don't expect to see anything like this at a dealership anytime soon.