Fuel cells: a road to the future

The fuel cell is based on a simple principle: an inverse electrolytic reaction.

The fuel cell is based on a simple principle: an inverse electrolytic reaction of water which produces electricity and heat with no emissions except silent water vapour. The idea is to develop a long range electric vehicle which can contribute to the reduction of global CO2 emissions, thus improving the quality of city life. Fuel cells are emerging energy sources hampered only by their bulk: they must be reduced to one fifth of their present size to be practically installed in cars. Still, they represent great evolution potential and could, as from the year 2015-2020, significantly modify the automotive landscape. PSA Peugeot Citroen is currently exploring two areas of development: as a principal energy source, and as a secondary, battery charging, power source. These two automotive architectures are illustrated in vehicles developed from the Peugeot Partner electric van currently in production: the Partner Hydro-Gen and the Partner Taxi PAC which will have a 125 to 185 mile range.