Future Transportation Systems - Decreasing Fuel Consumption and Exhaust Gas Emissions in Transportation - page 286

Experimental equipment consists of a battery and a tank for hydrogen, similar
to airplanes. The power is 160 kW (215 HP). Recent prices were over €2 million,
i.e., US $2.86 million, but in the future the expected price will be decreased to
€300,000, i.e., US $429,000.
In the first instance reasonable prices are necessary because a comparable marine
diesel engine merely costs between €60,000 and 70,000, i.e., US $85,800 and
100,000. Therefore, the production of fuel cells for ship transportation can only begin
when the cost of fuel cell technology generally drops by a meaningful factor [ 62 ].
Fuel cells generating approximately 500 kW (670 HP) are needed to drive
ferries and recreational boats. Except for tests and demonstrations, the first mass
produced fuel cells will be used in ferries and they will not be used on other ships
until 2020-2025. Expected that the first freighters may be powered by hydrogen
fuel cells about in 2030. Experimental and special research ships will probably be
powered by a battery which will be recharged by a hydrogen burning fuel cell on-
board earlier [ 63 ].
17.4 Summary and Recommendations: Future Environment
Friendly Transportation
Electric drive and fuel cells can only be realistically introduced in the market when
their price is reasonable. In the future, reduction of fuel consumption and exhaust
gas emissions will become increasingly important. The requirements will impact
both, the direct costs, i.e., the production as well as the indirect costs, i.e., the
operation costs.
However, customers will certainly not be willing to pay the higher costs, if the
only benefit is the protection of the environment. More safety, higher intelligence,
more comfort, better durability and lower specific costs are also decisively important.
17.4.1 Future Vehicle Technology
The internal combustion engine will not be replaced in the near future but rather
will be continuously developed. In highly intelligent cars, navigation can effec-
tively contribute to lower fuel consumption and emissions. Cars and trucks,
driving in convoys could additionally save fuel and space on the highways and
main traffic roads. The combined combustion of natural gas and petrol as a fuel
will be further improved in the near future.
Future pollution can be reduced by about 30% by premixing the fresh air and
the fuel, recirculating the exhaust gas, using a SCR catalyst, and a particle filter
system. Passive filter systems consist of a single filter and a catalyst module, which
filter up to 70% of the particles. In these simple filter systems, neither an electronic
nor an engine control system needs to be adapted. In opposite to them, active filter