And it’s looking more and more like a sure thing.
Touted as the holy grail of alternative fuel vehicles because of hydrogen’s low environmental impact, high availability and ability to be transported relatively easily, manufacturers are closing in on widespread commercialization of these environmentally friendly vehicles. Fuel cell vehicles are powered by liquid or gas hydrogen and emit only water vapor when operated.
To demonstrate their growing viability, eight manufacturers in partnership with industry organizations and government departments launched a 13-day cross-country road trip. The Hydrogen Road Tour kicked off in Portland, Maine and will end in Santa Monica, Calif. with 31 stops in 18 states, including Connecticut, Tenn., Georgia and Arizona.
At each stop they’ll be encouraging investment in hydrogen infrastructure, demonstrating the technology and, most importantly, showing the public the fuel cell vehicles that may one day appear in showrooms.
Manufactures are hoping that it’s going to be sooner rather than later. Many have been working for decades on fuel cells. While few carmakers are willing to state how many millions of dollars they’ve invested in this technology, it’s safe to assume it’s a significant amount.
The Honda FCX Clarity is estimated to cost close to a million dollars to build each vehicle. But the good news is that the company is slowly going to be recouping some of that money.
Honda recently began leasing the FCX Clarity to Southern California residents. More than 50,000 people applied for the three-year, $600 per month lease program, but only 200 people in the US and Japan will be selected over the next few years. Those green guinea pigs will be chosen largely based on their proximity to hydrogen fueling stations and ability to abide by the lease program details.
Hydrogen guinea pigs for General Motors will be a little luckier. GM is testing its fleet of 100 hydrogen powered Chevrolet Equinoxes by loaning the SUVs to U.S. customers in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. There is no charge to participants of the program, and GM will provide all fuel and maintenance for the vehicles. Testers are obligated to abide by the loan agreement, which includes not modifying any portion of the vehicle, not letting anyone else drive the SUV, and provide regular feedback to GM.
Be it for one night or up to three weeks, BMW has been loaning its fleet of 100 Hydrogen 7’s for “test drives” to luminaries, academics, and other industry influencers in the U.S., and has logged more than 2 million miles in the process. While most hydrogen fuel cell vehicles use gas hydrogen, BMW is unique in its application of liquid hydrogen to power its 12-cylinder internal combustion engine.
Mazda has begun corporate fleet testing of its hydrogen and gasoline hybrid RX-8 in Japan. Drivers of the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE can change from hydrogen to gasoline with a flip of a switch. This hybrid powertrain is a way for customers to extend the vehicle’s driving range until infrastructure catches up.
The lack of hydrogen infrastructure is a significant barrier for this highly anticipated energy saver.
There are currently only 61 hydrogen fueling stations in the United States, according to the National Hydrogen Association’s website, though 37 more are planned.
But many of these stations are private. Finding a hydrogen station for these vehicles is such a challenge that during the Hydrogen Road Tour these non-polluting vehicles will be trailed by mobile hydrogen refueling tanks.
