NEWS ARTICLE
Suzuki SX-4 FCV Fuel Cell Vehicle approved
Suzuki Motor Corporation has received approval from Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to test Suzuki SX-4 FCV Fuel Cell Vehicle on public roads.
Suzuki has been developing fuel cell vehicles in partnership with General Motors (GM) since 2001. So far, it has tested three fuel cell mini vehicles on public roads with ministerial approval: the MR Wagon-FCV and Wagon R-FCV in October 2003 and the MR Wagon-FCV again in December 2004.
The SX4-FCV delivers superior running performance by means of a GM-made high-performance fuel cell, a Suzuki-developed 70MPa hydrogen tank, and a light, compact capacitor that recovers energy during brake application. The car uses the compact capacitor to reduce fuel cell loading during acceleration. The Japanese maker plans to test the SX4-FCV on public roads in Japan and use the results in development aimed at future commercialisation.
Suzuki unveiled the car at the recent G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.
Simon McBride