Ford P2000 Hydrogen Engine Design and Vehicle Development Program

In late 1997 Ford Motor Company Scientific Research Laboratory started the project to design and develop a practical, low-cost hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine (H₂ICE) vehicle. This type of vehicle could serve as an interim step to drive the development of the hydrogen infrastructure before the widespread use of fuel cell vehicles. This paper will discuss the design and development approach and results for a dedicated engine optimized for operation on hydrogen, the unique and custom instrumentation necessary when working with hydrogen, the engine dynamometer development program, the unique triple-redundant vehicle safety system, and the final implementation into the Ford P2000 experimental vehicle.