DAF 44 Petrol car converted to fuel cells for propulsion

Made:
1967 in Born

DAF 44 car, 1967, Registration no. ATE 79E, chassis no. 501 458, converted by Shell Research Ltd at Thornton Research Centre to be powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell to demonstrate the feasibility of fuel cells for vehicle propulsion. The standard petrol engine has been replaced by a solid state control system.

Based on a DAF 44 car, a small family car introduced in September 1966 by the Dutch company DAF, this hybrid vehicle was built by Shell Research Ltd at Thornton Research Centre to demonstrate the feasibility of fuel cells for vehicle propulsion.

The previous petrol engine was replaced by an electric motor controlled by a solid state control system developed by Lucas Research Centre. The fuel cells, mounted in the boot of the car, react hydrazine with air to produce electricity which provides the base load energy at cruising speed. Additional energy is provided by lead-acid batteries which are kept charged by the fuel cells during periods of low energy consumption. The car has a top speed of 50 mph and a weight of 3,040 lbs.; 47% more than the standard DAF 44.

The car has a top speed of 50 mph and a weight of 3,040 lbs, 47% more than the standard Daf 44. Although demonstrating the feasibility of fuel cell powered cars, the experiments at the time suggested that it was unlikely to be competitive with the petrol engine car. Proving this earlier hypothesis untrue, in recent years there has been a vast increase in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) as they are more efficient than previous petrol run vehicles and only produce water vapour.

The experiments conducted on this converted Daf 44 proved that it was feasible, and now as more people begin to educate themselves and become more concerned about the climate crisis, fuel cell and other electric vehicles begin to become more and more popular. However, the important ethical question still remains as to how we go forward and sustainably produce parts and fuel for this new car infrastructure in the future.

Details

Category:
Road Transport
Object Number:
1981-961
Materials:
metal (unknown), glass, asbestos, leather and rubber (unidentified)
type:
private cars and batteries
credit:
Shell Research Limited, Thornton Research Centre

Parts

DAF 44 Petrol Car Converted to Fuel Cells for Propulsion

DAF 44 Petrol Car Converted to Fuel Cells for Propulsion

DAF 44 car, 1967, Registration no. ATE 79E, chassis no. 501 458, converted by Shell Research Ltd at Thornton Research Centre to be powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell to demonstrate the feasibility of fuel cells for vehicle propulsion.

The standard petrol engine has been replaced by a solid state control system developed by Lucas Research Centre.

The car has a top speed of 50 mph and a weight of 3,040 lbs. - 47% more than the standard DAF 44.

Measurements:
overall: 1590 mm x 1690 mm x 3910 mm,
Materials:
metal (unknown) , glass , asbestos , leather and rubber (unidentified)
Object Number:
1981-961/1
type:
car
Battery for DAF 44 Petrol Car Converted to Fuel Cells for Propulsion

Battery for DAF 44 Petrol Car Converted to Fuel Cells for Propulsion

Type 406 battery for DAF 44 car.

Measurements:
overall: 190 mm x 180 mm x 210 mm,
Object Number:
1981-961/4
type:
battery
Tax Disc for DAF 44 Petrol Car Converted to Fuel Cells for Propulsion

Tax Disc for DAF 44 Petrol Car Converted to Fuel Cells for Propulsion

Tax disc for DAF 44 car.

Measurements:
overall: 80 mm x 310 mm x 400 mm,
Object Number:
1981-961/5
type:
tax disc
Fire Extinguisher for DAF 44 Petrol Car Converted to Fuel Cells for Propulsion

Fire Extinguisher for DAF 44 Petrol Car Converted to Fuel Cells for Propulsion

Fire extinguisher for DAF 44 car.

Object Number:
1981-961/6
type:
extinguisher