|
Last Updated: Mar 26th, 2006 - 13:41:45 |
(NAPSI)-There is no doubt that hydrogen is one of the most promising fuels of the future. The only remaining questions are how and when America's transportation fleet will make the leap to this clean, renewable energy carrier.
The good news is that experts are convinced that the when is soon and the how is by means of a methodical transition from today's fossil-field vehicles to cars and trucks engineered for hydrogen propulsion. To take a long stride forward on this path, Energy Conversion Devices (ECD Ovonics), and its partners successfully completed a demonstration project to modify a commercial gasoline electric hybrid vehicle to run on hydrogen utilizing a new low-pressure, metal hybrid hydrogen storage system developed and manufactured by Texaco Ovonic Hydrogen Systems, a joint venture between a unit of Chevron Texaco Corp and ECD Ovonics.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hybrid electric vehicles are the most fuel-efficient autos currently on the road. "Combining the best features of an internal combustion engine with an electric drive system can significantly improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance or driving range," notes the EPA in its "2004 Fuel Economy Guide." A hydrogen-fueled hybrid vehicle builds on this foundation to create an ideal bridge to the future.
Auto industry experts agree that the ultimate goal is hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles. Unfortunately, some of the technology required to reach this end is not yet within reach. However, while the hydrogen hybrid runs on hydrogen just like a fuel-cell vehicle, it can be available much sooner and at a fraction of the cost.
A hybrid vehicle modified by ECD Ovonics has a driving range of nearly 150 miles and requires about 10 minutes for refueling. Combining two of the Ovonic solid storage hydrogen tanks would achieve a 250 mile range.
To learn more about the hydrogen fuel future, visit www.ovonic.com.
|
© Copyright by CarJunky.net
Top of Page
Automotive
: Links
