NEWS |
 | TU DELFT UNVEILES NEW VEHICLE |
"DELFT - The new hydrogen vehicle of Greenchoice Forze, the Formula Zero team Delft, has been unveiled last week. Ivo Opstelten, former mayor of Rotterdam, together with Dutch racing driver and former Le Mans winner, Jan Lammers officially unveiled the students’ hydrogen kart at the sports centre of the Delft University of Technology. Ivo Opstelten praised the students’ initiative and said he was honored to give the starting signal together with Jan Lammers. “In this project I see the future of motorsport” said Jan Lammers."
Following the starting signal a spectacular racing demonstration was given. The only sound came from the squeaking tires and buzzing electric motors. The only waste product was pure water from the exhaust. The racing team aims to win the upcoming races in an environmentally friendly manner.
Besides the power source, which is a hydrogen fuel cell, the bodywork is another interesting feature. It consists of more than 70% renewable materials, like natural fibers and a specially developed bio-based resin from DSM. More over, the teams’ CO2 emission, resulting from transportation, is compensated by 100% green energy supplier Greenchoice.
Het Formula Zero Championship
The Formula Zero Championship is the first racing competition fuelled by hydrogen, and thus producing no harmful emission. The hydrogen that the fuel cell uses, is generated in a sustainable manner end has no negative effect on the environment. With the hydrogen kart the team from Delft, the Netherlands, will try to extend their title as reigning world champion in the Formula Zero Championship.
The hydrogen kart
The Greenchoice Forze kart has a top speed of 120 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds. The continuous power of 8 kW (11 BHP), to drive two electric motors, is provided by a hydrogen fuel cell. Water is the only exhaust product. This water is more pure than tap water. Another innovation is the possibility to regenerate and store braking energy. This provides the kart with a temporary boost power of 45 BHP. The possibility to separately drive the left- and right- rear wheel is another distinctive feature. By varying the power of both wheels, the kart is able to make faster, sharper turns than ordinary karts.
The vehicle has advanced electronic systems to control all features and to guarantee safety. Advanced, sustainable materials have been used such natural fibers, e.g. flax, in combination with a specially developed bio-based resin from DSM. Due to this innovative usage of materials, the bodywork is made of 70% renewable materials.
Formula Zero team Delft
The Formula Zero team Delft consists of more than 40 students from various faculties of Delft University of Technology. The student team has developed a kart that is powered by hydrogen using fuel cell technology. By racing sustainably the team wants to promote and develop sustainable technology in an attractive way. The team is officially the world’s first hydrogen racing team and has already won the world’s first hydrogen race in the centre of Rotterdam last year. Currently the team leads the Formula Zero competition.
Besides racing, the team is also active with giving presentations and demonstrations on many events, such as the AutoRai 2009 and the SASBE2009. During this last event HRH Willem Alexander of Orange, Crown Prince of Holland, has met the team and its vehicle.
Besides the power source, which is a hydrogen fuel cell, the bodywork is another interesting feature. It consists of more than 70% renewable materials, like natural fibers and a specially developed bio-based resin from DSM. More over, the teams’ CO2 emission, resulting from transportation, is compensated by 100% green energy supplier Greenchoice.
Het Formula Zero Championship
The Formula Zero Championship is the first racing competition fuelled by hydrogen, and thus producing no harmful emission. The hydrogen that the fuel cell uses, is generated in a sustainable manner end has no negative effect on the environment. With the hydrogen kart the team from Delft, the Netherlands, will try to extend their title as reigning world champion in the Formula Zero Championship.
The hydrogen kart
The Greenchoice Forze kart has a top speed of 120 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds. The continuous power of 8 kW (11 BHP), to drive two electric motors, is provided by a hydrogen fuel cell. Water is the only exhaust product. This water is more pure than tap water. Another innovation is the possibility to regenerate and store braking energy. This provides the kart with a temporary boost power of 45 BHP. The possibility to separately drive the left- and right- rear wheel is another distinctive feature. By varying the power of both wheels, the kart is able to make faster, sharper turns than ordinary karts.
The vehicle has advanced electronic systems to control all features and to guarantee safety. Advanced, sustainable materials have been used such natural fibers, e.g. flax, in combination with a specially developed bio-based resin from DSM. Due to this innovative usage of materials, the bodywork is made of 70% renewable materials.
Formula Zero team Delft
The Formula Zero team Delft consists of more than 40 students from various faculties of Delft University of Technology. The student team has developed a kart that is powered by hydrogen using fuel cell technology. By racing sustainably the team wants to promote and develop sustainable technology in an attractive way. The team is officially the world’s first hydrogen racing team and has already won the world’s first hydrogen race in the centre of Rotterdam last year. Currently the team leads the Formula Zero competition.
Besides racing, the team is also active with giving presentations and demonstrations on many events, such as the AutoRai 2009 and the SASBE2009. During this last event HRH Willem Alexander of Orange, Crown Prince of Holland, has met the team and its vehicle.
