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Hydrogen

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alternative energy

GM Says Challenge X Is The Future, We Say We Want It Now

Looking at the array of biodiesel hybrids, ethanol hydrogen hybrids and fuel cells on display in Central Park this morning, the impression we got was GM is looking to these technologies as the future. All we could think was how much they should be the present. You see, this wasn't a display of pie-in-the-sky concepts or prototypes, but actual vehicles capable of competently carrying humans and all of them designed and built by students on a limited budget. If a couple of pubescent geeks still waiting for their first pocket protectors can put a functioning biodiesel hybrid on a driveway, why isn't GM doing so right now?

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Feature

3:00 PM on Fri May 16 2008
By Wes Siler
651 views, 13 comments

Latest by ripismoney: $20 says Flint is the first to get the poop powered Volt. more »

novelties

Elliasson Puts His BMW Art Car On Ice, Suck It Lichtenstein

There's apparently some competition for the Frozen Chevy Nova installation in our ongoing quest for the best piece of ice-based conceptual automotive art pieces. The latest entry comes from Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Elliasson, who has been one of our favorite artists since his The Weather Project at the Tate, which is maybe our favorite contemporary installation (take that FelixGonzalez-Torres). This one involved removing the shell of a BMW H2 racer and replacing it with reflective metal and then covering it with a fragile layer of ice. Said Elliasson "How do we give a tangible dimension to the fact that our engagement in the world has global consequences? How can we as consumers and creators of reality change the trajectory of transportation? Of moving? How can we put pressure on the car as an object?" We got to see Elliasson speak before an exhibit at the Menil in Houston and we can attest to him not being a completely insane foreign artist. Larger photo and press release below the jump.

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10:40 AM on Fri Apr 25 2008
By Matt Hardigree
967 views, 17 comments

Latest by hootjigga: In this month's Popular Science. Read it on the can. more »

alternative energy

New Methanol Fuel Cell Unveiled, No, It's Not Fart Powered

Sleeplessly cramming hour after hour for organic chemistry in college has proven to have been a complete waste of time, cause we can't understand how the newly unveiled Oorja Protonics Methanol Fuel Cell works. "Methanol you say?" Yes, the alcohol with one less carbon atom is now making news as a possible fuel of the future. Seems these new fuel cells are two to tentimes more powerful than previous methanol fuel cells, and it's only a matter of time before the Envirocrats start using "Methanol Fuel Cell" as their latest buzz word. Expect bills in Congress, concept cars, hippy rallys and pogo sticks which tout methanol fuel cells any time now. [Via Oorja Protonics] More »

4:45 PM on Mon Mar 17 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
951 views, 13 comments

Latest by my favorite car is a motorcycle: Better be some extremely good controls on the fuel handling. Methanol is toxic as hell. Spill it, and there goes your water supply. At least gasoline floats. The future of energy is hay. One horsepower per person more »

geneva motor show

Morgan Unveils LifeCar Details Ahead Of Geneva

Morgan is building the LifeCar to demonstrate, "that a zero emission vehicle can also be fun to drive." The tiny English car maker - better known for wood framed roadsters - is trying to do what no car maker has done before it: bring to market a fast, fun, desirable sports car that makes no sacrifices for its hydrogen fuel cell.

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5:45 PM on Wed Feb 13 2008
By Wes Siler
3,805 views, 55 comments

ces

First Shots Beneath The Skin Of The Fuel Cell Volt


Our partners in crime over at Giz may not have gotten any sleep this week while patrolling the Consumer Electronics Show, but they did manage to snap some shots under the hood of the hydrogen fuel-cell Volt. You'll notice the hydrogen tanks in the rear of the car and a battery pack out front that's smaller than the original by about 20% but will still let the car travel on electric-only power for about 40 miles. Remember, this is the same E-Flex platform found on the Cadillac Provoq.


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9:45 AM on Tue Jan 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
814 views, 9 comments

Latest by SeanKHotay: @rusty68: Haynes might have it wrong...like they do for the ignition cylinder wiring on a SAAB C900. more »

alternative fuels

Get On Your Hydrogen Bus and Ride

Those crazy Welchmen. A development team at the University of Glamorgan have created a "tribrid" 16 passenger bus that will be pressed into duty as a short range student and faculty hauler. A tribrid, in case you're slow, is a vehicle that relies on a three part motive system. In this case we're looking at power from a combo of hydrogen fuel cell, an ultracapacitor, and a battery pack. While the fuel cell and battery pack are pretty conventional, the advantage of the ultracapacitor is what's interesting here. More »

1:15 PM on Fri Jan 4 2008
By bwojdyla
515 views, 4 comments

Latest by number_six: I believe the preferred nomenclature is "Welsh" and "irretrievably non-recyclable." more »

holiday gift guide

Holiday Gift Guide: Hydrogen Power Kit for your R/C Car


We're hoping to appeal to both the weekend R/C racers and the alternafuel fans on the site with this choice. Horizon Fuel Cell technologies offers a hydrogen fuel cell power supply for your R/C car that incorporates on board hydrogen fuel canisters! Even better, the kit is designed to fit in the battery compartment of the venerable Tamiya TT-01 chassis. This means we can live the dream of owning a hydrogen-powered Ford Escort Cosworth Rally Car. The kit promises top speed near 20 mph, quick acceleration and charges that last nearly an hour. It's a significant cost savings over the $600 monthly lease for the Clarity FCX. Product information below the jump: More »

1:45 PM on Tue Dec 4 2007
By Matt Hardigree
2,240 views, 13 comments

Latest by Turboner: Why don't they use a hydrogen powered KITT for the next Knight Rider? more »

question of the day

Which Alternative Fuel Are You Most Excited About?

We've been talking an awful lot for the past few days about Honda's FCX Clarity. OK, fine — I've been talking a lot about it. Still, I filled up my car today to the tune of $3.56 a gallon — which is whack — and those numbers don't look like they are headed down any time soon. Oil is over $100 a barrel. The UN says that global warming is about to start torturing poor people. Game theorists are predicting that $7 a gas will lead to the end of society as we know it. That said, what are you putting your faith into? Is internal combustion still the way to go? Batteries? Alien tech? Bicycles? What? I've swallowed the Clarity Kool-Aid, just so you all know. Go Hindenburg.

11:30 AM on Tue Nov 20 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
1,413 views, 128 comments

Latest by SeanKHotay: @billstewartx: Really, NG buses = No stink? The problem w/ NG combustion is the formaldehyde by-product... more »

alternative energy

Cheaper Fuel Cells Courtesy of a Series of Tubes

One of the most expensive parts of a fuel cell is the metal catalyst, which is often platinum. So it's good news for those who want cheaper fuel cell vehicles that researchers at the National Renewable Energy Labs in Colorado have wired a hydrogenase enzyme to connect electrically with a carbon nanotube. We think? By combining the super tiny strands of carbon with hydrogenese a "biohybrid" catalyst is created, eliminating the need for platinum and other metal bits. Yeah science! [Physorg]

11:00 AM on Tue Nov 20 2007
By Matt Hardigree
344 views, 9 comments

Latest by nutbastard: wtf... wait, i get it! it's NOT a truck, it's a series of tubes! right? that makes more sense than it being a truck. more »

first drive

Honda FCX Clarity

The most remarkable thing about driving Honda's FCX Clarity prototype isn't how it emits nothing but water, its torquey, 13,500 rpm electric motor, the hydrogen equivalent of 68 miles per gallon or the perverse pleasure that goes with driving a multimillion-dollar automobile. It's the air-conditioned seats. Notice I said driving, because other than the whirring buzz of the motor, the Clarity goes, brakes and turns just like any other car. I had to keep reminding myself I was indeed behind the wheel of a hydrogen fuel-cell powered feat of engineering. Frankly, the Clarity feels like a slightly larger Accord. Again, Honda's latest FCX uses no gasoline whatsoever and behaves just like — no, make that exactly like — a regular car. And those AC seats? They have built-in fans to blow thermoelectrically cooled air, so no ozone-killing chlorofluorocarbons are needed to chill your fat butt. Pretty neat.

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Feature

1:00 PM on Mon Nov 19 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
10,487 views, 56 comments

Latest by bb4buzz: I wonder how many hydrogen filling stations could have been built across the country with the $1 trillion Bush spent on Iraq? What would our relationship with the Middle East look like then? (not to mention rest of world) more »

first drive

Preview: Jalopnik Drives the Honda FCX Clarity

You're looking at Honda's new hydrogen fuel cell powered FCX Clarity parked in front of the Malibu Presbyterian Church that was destroyed in the recent fires. As the Clarity emits water and achieves the gasoline consumption equivalent of 68 mpg, we thought it only fitting to shoot it parked in front of one of Global Warming's victims. The Clarity, of course, is supposed to help with all that — although we're still not real clear on the clarity of the environmental benefits of hydrogen created using currently readily available sources. But Honda claims they're working on that — and hey, it'll reduce your home's overall power bills. Oh yeah, almost forgot. Honda tossed us the keys to their multi-million dollar pre-production baby (LA Times Pulitzer Prize-winning auto critic Dan Neil claims it's worth "like $10,000,000 or more") and let us cruise from Santa Monica through the toasted canyons of Malibu. Full review coming this Monday.


10:45 PM on Fri Nov 16 2007
24,443 views, 46 comments

Latest by danio3834: @cgarison: And it will point finger at GM as the big bag corporation that killed it. Despite half a dozen other car companies who had them as well. more »

alternative energy

The Best Way to Refuel Your FCX Clarity

You're going to want a Honda Home Energy Station IV if you're going to be tooling around town in your new Clarity fuel cell vehicle, lest you should have to fill up at a community hydrogen station like a commoner. This trick station hooks up to your home's natural gas supply and not only produces hydrogen for your FCV, but also heating and electricity for your home. The system provides a reduction in emissions and energy use by utilizing gas purification and power generation in one unit. Like all good things, this is still an experimental project. Press release below: More »

4:15 PM on Fri Nov 16 2007
By Matt Hardigree
2,444 views, 32 comments

Latest by gman35: i wonder do people realize that the fluctuation in global temps have been goin on a long time .. the temps have climbed in the past and dropped back down . the real difference is very slight. weather records have more »

la auto show

LA Auto Show: Honda FCX Clarity

[Update: Full first drive road test here] Honda's hydrogen powered family sedan has a new name — Clarity. Following a decades old corporate mandate, "Blue Skies For Our Children," the mid-size Clarity will (supposedly) return an EPA-certified 68 MPG. The Clarity also will pass federal safety standards, start in minus 22 degree weather and survive trips out to Las Vegas (high heat). Refueling is still a pain as you either need a getting-smaller-but-still-bulky natural gas fired home unit, or live near Santa Monica, Torrance or Irvine. For now. However, the per-tank range is 270 miles. Coming to a Honda dealer near you this summer (2008), Honda will happy to lease you a Clarity for $600 a month. Make the jump to read Honda's press release.
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1:30 PM on Wed Nov 14 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
3,013 views, 27 comments

Latest by YayCheer: Boohiss, you are missing the point. Why degrade H2 from natural gas without comparing to gasoline derived from oil! That is the comparison to do, H2 from nat gas iS very efficient. You know little about the process by insinuating more »

news

Hydrogen Cars Could Melt Tunnels, Ruin Day

While a hydrogen-fueled future seems perfect, it might not seem so great if it results in a jet flame heading towards you at a high velocity. According to researchers/buzzkills at the University of Sheffield, a computer simulation of a hydrogen car crashing inside a tunnel revealed some not-so-fantastic side effects. Whereas gasoline leaks onto the ground and then ignites, hydrogen would escape into the air as a 2000 °C flame that would extend out for many meters (likely straight up). More »

4:00 PM on Thu Nov 8 2007
By Matt Hardigree
1,030 views, 20 comments

Latest by TheChaz: The whole fuel cell concept seems silly to me. A fuel cell vehicle is just an electric car with its generator on board. Why not shed the extra weight (or exchange it for batteries/capacitors), leave the generator in more »

industry news

Daimler, Ford Teaming Up On Fuel Cells

As quickly as the Teutonic knights of Daimler shed one relationship with a dirty 'merican auto company, they've now just signed up to partner with another one. This time instead of a merger of equals, it's merely a joint stake with Ford and Ballard Power Systems in a new company the two automakers (and one supplier!) are calling "Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation," which we're assuming can also be called by it's partial acronym, "AutoFuCC." (Pause for laughter) The new, privately-held company will focus on automotive fuel cell technology and allow the two automakers to further expand their global leading position in fuel cell technology. With a share of 50.1 percent, Daimler AG will be the majority stakeholder in the new company. Ford Motor Company will hold a 30-percent stake and Ballard Power Systems the remaining stake of 19.9 percent in the cooperative effort. Full press release after the jump. More »

9:45 AM on Thu Nov 8 2007
By Ray Wert
616 views, 6 comments

Latest by benztown: The biggest problem I see is the fact that the fuel cell needs hydrogen. AFAIK we're still far from mass producing h2 for a reasonable price and the h2 we already produce comes from natural gas...not very ecological. more »

alternative energy

Paging Mr. DiCaprio: GM Places Largest Fuel-Cell Fleet Into The Hands of Celebs, Others


Just over a year ago, we told you about General Motors' plan to put 100 fuel-cell vehicles on the road by the end of 2007. It appears GM still plans to meet that goal, as they recently reiterated the claim at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Under the name "Project Driveway," Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicles were to be delivered to those with eco cred and who live near a hydrogen refueling center in the US, Germany, Japan, China and South Korea. GM says most of the recipients were influencers like government officials, celebrities and the military. Apparently GM will also give some of the vehicles to the public, with recipients picked from a pool of online applicants. Details on where or how to sign up, however, don't appear to exist. With the 100 vehicles, GM claims it'll have the largest fuel-cell fleet on the road, but there's no need to worry about another EV1 incident — these things only have a shelf life of 50,000 miles. We're offering a hearty pat on the back to the reader who guesses which American celeb will show up with one first. [BBC]

1:00 PM on Thu Oct 4 2007
By tingwall
592 views, 6 comments

Latest by Maymar: @scotte: I could be wrong here, but I was under the impression that this was a pilot project along the lines of the Chrysler Turbine car. Stick civillians in them for a couple years (i.e. 50K) to see how they more »

alternative energy

Toyota Bests Chevy Sequel With 348 Mile Drive Of Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle

Toyota's announced today they've one-upped Chevy's little Sequel with their own FCHV (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle). If you remember, the Chevy Sequel took a 300-mile one-way drive across the state of New York to become the first fuel cell vehicle to go more than 300 miles in one fill-up. Toyota's FCHV team decided they could beat that and they have — the team just finished a 348-mile one-way drive from from Osaka to Tokyo on a single fill-up of hydrogen. The road test — part of ToMoCo's FCHV public-road test program — started in central Osaka City and finished up at the Mega Web auto-themed amusement park in Tokyo's waterfront area, covering approximately 348 miles. But not only was the fuel cell hybrid minivan-UV able to make it the full distance, it was even able to do it with the air conditioner on — the entire way. Beat that — umm — every vehicle on the market. Full press release after the jump. More »

9:45 AM on Fri Sep 28 2007
By Ray Wert
1,102 views, 20 comments

Latest by jwschmo: So, apparently you didn't read the article on the Chevy Sequel. One they stated they also had the air conditioning on all the way. Two they mentioned that there was a significant amount of traffic-hence stop and go, hence for more »

frankfurt auto show

Hyundai's Hydrogen Powered i-Blue Concept Revealed Before Frankfurt Auto Show

Our friends from down under at Motor Authority have the scoop on what looks to be a concept car Hyundai's planning on officially revealing at the Frankfurt Auto Show in a couple of weeks. It's called the i-Blue and it's apparently a hydrogen powered concept crossover that's supposedly also using Hyundai's new third-gen fuel cell tech. Huh...we didn't even know about the first two. [via MotorAuthority]

12:45 PM on Fri Aug 31 2007
By Ray Wert
1,935 views, 10 comments