Alternative Fuel - Hydrogen

[Rich Parsons]

First this article is from the AP, so if it is violation of Copy Right I apologize. I thought if it was on the AP anyone could pick it up and use it within their own distribution system.

Just some information about Hydrogen based vehicles being planned.

 

[Flying Crane]

excellent.

 

[Rich Parsons]

Some more information

PRODUCT NEWS

CHEVROLET TO LAUNCH WORLD'S LARGEST FUEL CELL VEHICLE FLEET .... GM has committed to building the world's largest fuel cell vehicle fleet with the announcement of the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell.

GM will build more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and will begin placing them with customers in the fall of 2007 as part of a comprehensive deployment plan dubbed "Project Driveway." The plan is designed to provide GM with valuable information on all aspects of the customer experience. The vehicles will be placed with a variety of different drivers in California, New York and Washington D.C.

"GM is demonstrating its commitment to hydrogen fuel cells as the answer for taking the automobile out of the environmental debate and reducing our dependence on petroleum," said Larry Burns, GM vice president, research & development and strategic planning. "The Equinox Fuel Cell is powered by GM's most advanced fuel cell propulsion system to date, and demonstrates an important milestone on our pathway to automotive-competitive fuel cell propulsion technology development."
Enabled by GM's fourth-generation fuel cell propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell is a fully-functional crossover vehicle - engineered for 50,000 miles of life and able to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures. It is expected to meet all applicable 2007 U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and is equipped with a long list of standard safety features. "The Equinox Fuel Cell is a real-world vehicle with real-world performance," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "The fuel cell technology is seamlessly integrated into a uniquely styled crossover vehicle that is distinctively Chevrolet."

 

[Rich Parsons]

WHAT'S HAPPENING

GM EXPANDS FUEL CELL PARTNERSHIP WITH U.S. POSTAL SERVICE .... GM and the U.S. Postal Service are expanding their partnership to test fuel cell vehicles for mail delivery.


A GM HydroGen3 fuel cell minivan, unveiled today, will be added to the fleet at the USPS office in Irvine, Calif. This marks the first time a fuel cell vehicle will be used for mail delivery on the West Coast. In addition, the Irvine Post Office will use a specially designed postmark to commemorate its use of the HydroGen3. The mark will be used to cancel mail for about the next month.


"GM's ultimate vision for an environmentally sustainable future is a hydrogen economy with fuel cell based transportation," said Larry Burns, GM vice president of research and development and strategic planning. "The U.S. Postal Service has been an excellent organization to work with in helping us to test and validate the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system."


The U.S. Postal Service has been testing a HydroGen3 in and around Washington, D.C. for the past two years. During that time, the hydrogen fuel cell minivan has proven to be highly reliable - having delivered more that 600,000 pieces of mail.


The expansion of this partnership comes on the heels of GM's announcement of the "Project Driveway" program earlier this month. This program will place a test fleet of more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles with customers in key U.S. markets starting in the fall of 2007.


To learn more about GM's hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, as well as our research into other advanced technologies, visit gmability.com.

 

[Makalakumu]

The problem with Hydrogen is that it takes energy to make it. Right now the plan is to cook it up with natural gas...but if supplies of that fall off, then what? Nuclear? If we go that route, we'll have nuke plants in everyone's backyard and Yucca Mountain will be real busy.

Sigh.

I don't think we are going to see a hydrogen economy anytime soon. Not unless we see some major technology breakthroughs first.

 

[Rich Parsons]

The problem with Hydrogen is that it takes energy to make it. Right now the plan is to cook it up with natural gas...but if supplies of that fall off, then what? Nuclear? If we go that route, we'll have nuke plants in everyone's backyard and Yucca Mountain will be real busy.

Sigh.

I don't think we are going to see a hydrogen economy anytime soon. Not unless we see some major technology breakthroughs first.

While I agree with you John, remember now that the tech is out there, if we do not build it people will be upset for look at the electric car. No one really wanted (* Volume of leases *), but as soon as it was gone it was the worst mistake ever made. Even though the number one source for Electricity is Sulfur Coal which is so much worse on emissions to the environment.

Also until the volume of users increases the technology will be costly, and with out use as well there will be little advancements.

While it may not be the only solution or the long term solution it is a working solution with drawback that over time people can try to make better.

 

[Makalakumu]

The problem is that our vast investment in an oil infrastructure is about to become obsolete. How long do we hang on to the old gaurd? If we are going to make something like this happen while we still have the resources to do it, we need to reprioritize...big time...and I don't see that happening anytime soon.

 

[Rich Parsons]

The problem is that our vast investment in an oil infrastructure is about to become obsolete. How long do we hang on to the old gaurd? If we are going to make something like this happen while we still have the resources to do it, we need to reprioritize...big time...and I don't see that happening anytime soon.

20 years ago people did not want hybrids or electric cars

10 years ago some people thought they were the right thing to do

5 years ago Toyota and Honda have multiple Hybrids in production

Today if no one is building one of their own they are in a business agreement or partnership with someone who is.

The idea is making progress. It is gaining momentum.

 

[crushing]

BP Opens New Hydrogen Fueling Station In Southeast Michigan Under U.S. Department of Energy Project

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061023/nym197.html?.v=56http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6656006.html?tag=nl.e501