NREL to Showcase Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles at Two National Electric Drive Week Events September 14

Sept. 12, 2016 | By Sara Havig | Contact media relations

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will showcase fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) at two National Electric Drive Week ride and drive events on Sept. 14. Like battery electric vehicles, FCEVs have an electric motor, but they produce electricity onboard using a hydrogen-powered fuel cell rather than drawing energy from batteries that are charged by an electric power source.

Ride and drive participants can get behind the wheel or ride along in one of NREL's hydrogen-fueled FCEVs. Representatives from NREL will be on hand to answer questions about the vehicles and provide information about alternative fuels and advanced vehicles.

Ride and Drive Event at Northern Colorado Clean Cities (NCCC) 20th Anniversary Celebration

When: Wednesday, Sept. 14. Full event: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ride and drive: 1-3 p.m.
Where: Colorado National Speedway, 4281 Co Rd 10, Dacono
Cost: $55 (includes lunch and all activities).

Ride and Drive Event at Boulder Farmers Market

When: Wednesday, Sept. 14, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Central Park, 13th Street and Canyon Boulevard, Boulder
Cost: Free

NREL has three FCEVs on loan from partners in its test and evaluation fleet. The vehicles are fueled with renewable hydrogen produced at the Hydrogen Infrastructure Testing and Research Facility (HITRF) located at NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility. The HITRF is designed to aid research projects supported by the Energy Department's Fuel Cell Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy as well as industry, government, and university partners. Learn more about NREL's hydrogen and fuel cell research.

NREL supports the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program and its network of nearly 100 coalitions, such as Northern Colorado Clean Cities. The Clean Cities program advances the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local actions to cut petroleum use in transportation. At the national level, the program develops and promotes publications, tools, and other unique resources. At the local level, coalitions leverage these resources to support fleets implementing alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements, and emerging transportation technologies. Learn more about Clean Cities.

Tags: