The Nissan X-Trail FCV - the Hydrogen Fuel-Cell SUV

In brief: A brief overview of the Nissan X-Trail Fuel Cell Vehicle being developed in Japan.

Vehicle in the news

Make/Model: X-Trail FCV
Manufacturer: Nissan

The word

Nissan has been working on hydrogen fuel cells for some time and that work has come to fruition as a prototype SUV based on the X-Trail platform. The fuel cell vehicle (FCV) prototype is called the X-Trail FCV and it recently took part in the Hydrogen Fun Run in Japan along with the Honda and Toyota FCVs.

Using a new fuel cell stack that Nissan developed in-house, this 2005 model X-Trail uses a new polymer electrolyte stack manufactured by UTC Fuel Cells in the U.S.

This latest iteration coupled the newest version of that fuel cell with a state-of-the-art high-pressure (10,000 psi) hydrogen storage system, which improves performance and range.

The new fuel cell stack is 60% smaller, has double the service life, and a wider operating temperature range. The Canadian-designed (Dynetek Industries) hydrogen cylinder has a 30% larger capacity but isn't any larger than the original.

The X-Trail FCV in its current prototype has a 90mph top speed, 311 mile range, a 90kW motor, a small lithium-ion battery pack (thin-celled laminate), and other improvements.

And so ...

Although Nissan touts battery electrics, they have steadily been working on this hydrogen system for nearly a decade. Testing of X-Trail FCV prototypes takes place in both Japan and Canada.

Photo credits: Nissan Global