September 13th, 2009
They're still pushing hydrogen
General Motors is heralding a milestone for their hydrogen-powered cars still in road testing. Under current political conditions the hydrogen fuel cell car looks almost perfect: it emits H20. No carbon, sulphur or nitrous emissions. It burns hydrogen which is almost infinitely available from hydrolysis. And that in turn uses plenty of electricity which could even be seen as fossil fuel friendly, thus avoiding a battle with oil and coal interests and their U.S. Senators. Even an oilman like George W. Bush could say from his bully pulpit that he favored hydrogen fuel cells.
The GM fleet has now2 gone a combined million miles. The cars are the General Motors Equinox FVC (Fuel Cell Vehicle). Each one goes about goes about 170 miles after it get re-hydrogenated. That refuel time is seven minutes or less. Propo0nents point out that is much faster than re-charging an electric and a longer range than most plug-ins wil lhave when they launch.
Honda also has a few fuel cell units on the road. Exactly ten. In Japan and U.S. combined. They still claim to be aiming for showroom sales in 2015. Honda calls theirs the FCX Clarity. Their stack of fuel cells uses precious metals, including platinum. No sale price has been announced. So no clarity on Clarity.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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