Volvo Multi-Fuel: 5 Fuels, 1 Car, All Wagon
Volvo has created a prototype vehicle that runs on 5 different fuels; hythane (10% hydrogen and 90% methane), biomethane, natural gas (CNG), bioethanol E85 (85% bioethanol and 15% petrol) and petrol. Volvo's press release has a great quote from the project leader, Mats Morén:
The idea is to make use of the fuels that are produced locally, says Mats Morén. This means that less fuel needs to be transported between continents, and you can fill up the car on the fuel that is available wherever you are.
Wow, that's a refreshingly good idea. Read on for more info, and links to pictures.
The Volvo "Multi-fuel" is based on a five-cylinder, 2.0-litre engine (200 bhp), and has 3 (or is it 4?) separate gas tanks. Again, Volvo's press release:
The Multi-Fuel vehicle contains one large and two smaller tanks of totally 98 litres for gaseous fuels (hythane, biomethane and CNG), and one 29-litre tank for liquid fuels (bioethanol E85 and petrol).
Two fuel fillers are used to fill up all five fuel types, one for gaseous and one for liquid fuels. The engine automatically adjusts itself to the right blend of gaseous or liquid fuels. To switch between fuel types, the driver simply presses a button.
Gotta love that they used the V70 wagon for the prototype, totally Volvo to the core. But currently there's no info on tested or projected MPG...
Volvo Press Release
Volvo to Preview Five-Fuel Vehicle; Includes Hythane (greencarcongress.com)
Volvo Multi-Fuel Prototype: Details (www.worldcarfans.com) - Lots of pictures
Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2006