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ECN build first Dutch hydrogen car
© ECN
The Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) in Petten has built the first car to be powered by a Dutch fuel cell system.
The key component, the PEM fuel cell stack, has been developed entirely in Petten. The car itself is a modified version of an existing electric service vehicle, the DaimlerChrysler GEM. The standard GEM is powered by a traction battery, the capacity of which restricts the car's operating range and necessitates regular and lengthy recharging from the mains. But the new version developed by ECN and christened the HydroGEM has a far greater range and can be refuelled quickly. The fuel cell produces sufficient power to supply electricity to utensils such as electric tools as well. The HydroGEM is quiet and extremely clean, making it suitable for use at airports, railway stations, distribution centres and other industrial locations, not to mention on nature reserves and even in hospitals.