John Deere to Produce Fuel Cell Technology Demonstrator Vehicle; Initiative Promises Lower Emissions, Quieter Operation and Improved Efficiency
MOLINE, Ill., Dec. 11 - Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) said today that
it is working with Hydrogenics Corporation, a Canadian fuel cell manufacturer,
to develop a technology demonstrator fuel cell-powered Commercial Work Vehicle
(CWV).
Deere is sharing plans for the vehicle at this week's Electric
Transportation Industry Conference and Exposition in Hollywood, Florida. The
demonstrator will be a modified John Deere Pro-Gator(TM) Utility Vehicle.
"This vehicle will serve as a technology guide as John Deere moves
forward with electrification of its products," said Bruce Wood, director of
the company's ePower Technologies group, which plans to test the fuel cell-
powered CWV at demonstration sites across the U.S. starting in the spring of
2003.
Wood said Deere is undertaking several electrification initiatives
including the use of advanced battery technologies, diesel- and gasoline-
hybrid electric technologies and hydrogen fuel cell technologies to add
performance and efficiency capabilities to existing products.
Also at the Florida conference, Deere is showing its prototype gasoline-
electric zero-turning radius lawn tractor and its currently available
electric-powered E-Gator(TM) Utility Vehicle.
"Although our initial prototypes and demonstrators are in the smaller
turf care products, we believe these technologies eventually will be applied
in larger equipment as well," Wood said. "Electrification will enable our
products to have significantly reduced emissions and noise levels with
improved efficiency and sustained high performance."
John Deere has a strong heritage of innovation in its high quality
products and electrification will enable the company to offer added
functionality to products. Benefits include significant efficiency gains,
improved performance through integrated power management, flexible vehicle
architecture, lower emissions, simplified manufacturing and service, and other
new customer features.
Deere offered no specific timetable for more widespread use of electric
vehicles. However, Wood said, the company believes use of the technologies in
its off-road equipment offers the best opportunity to commercialize
significant numbers of electric vehicles.
He said off-road applications would likely be implemented several years
before widespread use of electric or hybrid-powered cars. This will occur
because off-road equipment is most often managed as a fleet with centralized
fueling and service.
ABOUT JOHN DEERE
Deere & Company was founded in 1837 and today is the world's leading
producer of equipment for agriculture and forestry. The company also
manufactures equipment for a variety of construction, commercial and consumer
applications as well as engines and power train components. Additionally,
through company subsidiaries, Deere provides financial services and other
related activities that support the core businesses. Deere employs
approximately 40,000 people worldwide and has its World Headquarters in
Moline, Illinois (USA). |
