Fuel Cell Vehicle Development in Thailand

Thai researchers develop a fuel cell vehicle. Researchers in Thailand have developed a prototype vehicle that uses the latest fuel cell technology.

The group of researchers from Electromagnetic Compatibility Lab at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology at Lad Krabang (KMITL) along with the National Metal and Materials Technology Center and Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology recently announced the vehicle's development.

KMITL's V.P.Weerachet Khanngern leads the project and mentions their vehicle uses no fuel or batteries, but that it can generate power from the fuel cells.

The method of development was accomplished by modifying a motorcycle-shaped electric vehicle and utilizing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). PEMFCs offers lower temperature and pressure ranges, and appropriate for transport applications.

Weerachet further mentions that their vehicle can generate 500 watts of electrical power which is enough to drive it at approximately 19 miles per hour. KMITL's vehicle design was completed earlier this month, and an upgrade from a previous design developed in 2006.