Nuvera Powers Fiat Vehicle in First Fuel Cell Reliability Race

Fuel cell developer's hydrogen PEM stack yields superior performance at Monte Carlo road rally, resulting in high fuel efficiency and reliability

Milan / Cambridge, Mass., April 29, 2005 - Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., an international developer of multi-fuel reforming and proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology, today announced its HCS-771 PEM fuel cell stack successfully powered the FIAT Seicento HYDROGEN prototype vehicle during the First Monte Carlo Rally for Fuel Cell and Hybrid Cars held on Saturday, April 2.

According to FIAT, the OEM's Seicento HYDROGEN fuel cell car participated in the first reliability race for hydrogen-powered vehicles, finishing 2nd among vehicles in its category (fuel cell) and taking 1st place among compressed hydrogen-powered vehicles. Final points took into account total fuel consumption, the fuel consumed to vehicle weight ratio, and any penalties accumulated during the race.

Nuvera's automotive PEM stack provided the primary power for the fuel cell prototype. It was fuelled by compressed hydrogen stored onboard the vehicle at 350 bar (5,000 psi) and proved capable of producing up to 200V of electrical energy, with a maximum power output of 40 kW. The fuel cell car, with axle-power output of 30 kW, generated a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) with a range of 200 km (124 miles). It was driven by Paolo Marchese and Roberto Aimasso, research engineers from Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF) - the OEM's vehicle and fuel cell development center.

"The race was a proving ground for our new PEM stack architecture, which features low pressure operation, metallic bi-polar plates, and no external humidification," said William L. Mitchell, Vice President of Nuvera Fuel Cells. "The demanding race conditions forced the stack to operate in high power conditions for extended periods of time, and it did so while delivering a very high level of efficiency. This is a further endorsement to our technology."

The rally was organized by the Monte Carlo Automobile Club under supervision of the IAF (International Automobile Federation). Cars started out from Lugano, Switzerland at 9 a.m. and covered a mixed motorway-main road itinerary totaling 410 km (255 miles), taking them through Switzerland, Italy, and France to arrive in Monaco at 4 p.m. According to the rules, the fuel cell vehicles were allowed one stop for refueling. "Because it passes through the Maritime Alps, the Rally Monte Carlo is considered one of the most difficult in the world" said Dr. Udo Winter, Chief Engineer at GM Fuel Cell Activities center in Germany.

Nuvera is a global leader in the development and advancement of multi-fuel processing and fuel cell technology. With offices located in Italy and the USA, Nuvera is committed to advancing the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell power modules for industrial vehicles and equipment and stationary applications by 2006, natural gas fuel cell power systems for cogeneration applications by 2007, and on-board gasoline fuel processors and fuel cell stacks for automotive applications by 2010. Nuvera Fuel Cells Europe is ISO 9001:2000 certified for "Research, Development, Design, Production and Servicing of Fuel Cell Stacks and Fuel Cell Systems."

Cheryl Dixon is an avid researcher for fuel saving and environmentally safe vehicles. The results of her continuing research and latest news can be found on her blog: http://hybridandfuelcellcars.featureblog.com and on her website: http://www.HybridAndFuelCellCars.com