The Latest and Greatest on Hydrogen Fuel

An August 31 MSNBC article initially got me interested in learning more about the use of hydrogen as a form of energy.  MSNBC reports that U.S. researchers "have focused their efforts on storing the gas in a molecule called ammonia borane."  If scientists prove successful in their endeavor, a hydrogen-powered vehicle could potentially travel up to 300 miles on just one tank.  It would also eliminate the potential for hydrogen explosions caused by storing the gas in high pressure tanks.

That's why, according to Business Facilities, "Fuel cell vehicles are expected to number in the tens of thousands in California after 2015."  With so much promise, it's no wonder that California is investing over $8 million in support of hydrogen fueling stations as part of its $100 million Clean Transport Investment Plan.  The UK has also recently invested in hydrogen fuel technology; BBC reports that the UK's first public hydrogen filling station has been opened in Swindon.  But what are the fuel-cell cars like?

Wired.com's Alexander George got a chance to take a Hyundai Tucson, which is powered by hydrogen technology, for a spin. "The vehicle begins with a sucking sound," George reported.  "But inside the car, which is comfortable and quite nicely appointed, the Tucson is as silent as an electric vehicle ... The only difference is the Tucson uses a fuel cell instead of a battery to provide most of the juice."

George's test drive of the Hyundai Tucson was part of a larger, cross-country initiative to spread word to Americans that hydrogen is the "fuel of the future."  According to George, "The big pitch for hydrogen is, of course, that it offers the zero tailpipe emissions and energy independence of battery electric vehicles without the limited range and long recharge time."

While there are more than a few obstacles that need to be overcome before we're all driving hydrogen-powered cars (e.g., George reports that he was asked to "keep the motor output below 25 kilowatts" during his test drive), we're still optimistic about hydrogen as a clean fueling option.  So much, in fact, that other companies like Daimler and Honda are testing it out, as well.  Will a hydrogen filling station pop up in your town soon?  Only time will tell!