Fiat Scudo Range Extender - cemtec.dk

1. Project Mission
The purpose of this project was to develop, test and demonstrate a compact, methanol fueled,
HTPEM module for use in automotive applications.
The module acts as a charging system to increase the range of an electric vehicle. The prototype
system was featured inside an electric Fiat Scudo van converted by Enerblu, an example of which is
shown below in Figure 1. The goal was to increase the range of this electric vehicle from 150km to
over 500km and to provide a robust solution capable of surviving a three month road test program.
2. General Information
Figure 1: Fiat Scudo Van
With almost two million vehicles on the road in Denmark, there is a large potential market for electric
vehicles. Gas prices, registration tax and road use taxes in Denmark are some of the highest in the
world. As a result of the current tax break given to electric cars, the market will shift in this direction
in the future given appropriate cost effective solutions.
The prototype system for this project will feature an integrated methanol reformer to produce
hydrogen as needed. This design feature avoids all of the potential hazards related to storing and
fueling high pressure hydrogen tanks. The following reaction takes place inside the reformer to
produce hydrogen.
CH3OH + H2O � 3H2 + CO2
CEMTEC – Majsmarken 1 – 9500 Hobro – Denmark Tlf +45 96 40 15 00 1
Project Conclusions