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Hydrogen HUMMER for the Governor—But It’s ICE

California Gov. Schwarzenegger opened a hydrogen fueling station at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) on Friday, rolling into the station in a prototype H2ICE Hummer prototype—the H2H—loaned by GM.

The H2H is an internal combustion engine (ICE) HUMMER H2 SUT (Sport Utility Truck) converted to burn gaseous hydrogen fuel. The truck uses a supercharged version of the truck’s original Vortec 6000 (6.0-liter V-8).

“The H2H was created for two purposes,” said Elizabeth Lowery, GM vice president, Environment & Energy. “It brings focus and attention to the journey to a hydrogen economy, and it will provide GM with key learnings on hydrogen storage, hydrogen delivery systems, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure development.”

Even as an avowed non-production prototype, this is a bit of a major departure for GM, which has been one of the automakers the most insistent on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as the future. As a result, the automaker has never publicly emphasized an H2ICE prototype, preferring instead to seed the growing number of hydrogen trials around the globe with fuel cell vehicles such as its HydroGen3.

By contrast, Ford, which also has a robust hydrogen fuel cell program, of late has been putting emphasis on its prototype H2ICE vehicles as a way to gain more experience with hydrogen—exactly the reasoning GM outlined above. (Earlier posts here, here, and here.)

As an aside, the H2H also provides an example of a big truck that doesn’t depend on oil and is more friendly (leaving the source of the hydrogen out of the discussion of perception) to the environment. Of course, if that was the only concern, they could just trot out a biodiesel version.

GM produced the H2H in conjunction with its partner Quantum Technologies, a leader in hydrogen fuel systems and storage for both ICE and fuel cell vehicles.

In March 2004, California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) awarded a $2.3 million contract to Quantum to convert a fleet of 30 Toyota Priuses to hydrogen-burning hybrids.

For that project, Quantum is developing the complete OEM-level hydrogen internal combustion engine fuel system, including both the injection system and hydrogen storage system. Included in the fuel systems will be the company’s patented fuel injectors, fuel rails, electronic control system and software, hydrogen storage and a customized turbocharger.

Presumably, Quantum did not need to play such a complete role in the converison of H2 to H2H.

It will be interesting to see if GM follows up with any other H2ICE prototypes. If they do, then it may be an indication that they are beginning to hedge their fuel cell bet, at least in terms of how soon they can build the FCV market.

(Thanks to Autoblog for the tip on the Gov.)

Comments

Brett Jarman

Californian Dream? Gov Schwarzenegger must have grown up in one of those homes where, if something is good for you, a whole lot of something must be really good for you.

Is a six liter V8 behemoth really the right tool to promote environmental responsibility? Or is it simply the right toy to appeal to Californian voters? Clean Hummers for everyone!

anonymous

Now how am I going to vent my Hummer-envy ?! There's nothing left to be morally superior about! You bast*rds!

Joseph Galla

What are we waiting for oil to go to $5.a gal. or the last drop of oil to be used. Hydrogen is the way to go. It's totally renewable for ever and nomore dangerous then LNG.The government should require all gas stations to install hydrogen refueling pumps over the next few years so that what ever type of hydrogen powered cars are made they will be ready.The oil companies will convert to hydrogen production using solar or wind power and it could be pumped through pipes like natural gas is today. JAG

Joseph Galla

What are we waiting for oil to go to $5.a gal. or the last drop of oil to be used. Hydrogen is the way to go. It's totally renewable for ever and nomore dangerous then LNG.The government should require all gas stations to install hydrogen refueling pumps over the next few years so that what ever type of hydrogen powered cars are made they will be ready.The oil companies will convert to hydrogen production using solar or wind power and it could be pumped through pipes like natural gas is today. JAG

Bet Recop

I see it as people don't often like to see too quick of any kind of change if their already willing to let the Oil and Gas companies gouge at their pocket books. Hydrogen is easily noted as the best alternatve from Oil and Gas. ICE's that convert Hydrogen to Water are seemingly very Pro-enviromental. With GM's plans to start introducing H2ICE cars within the next 9 to 10 years, sure it seems like thats a step forward, but to the common, we feel its a lifetime away and we stay clear of the idea of change because we feel it's not upon us and their is no need to be pushy. What I'm actually tying to say here is that, if people in general are still willing to put up with the ever growing High Cost of maintaining todays Vehical models, then the Top Priority of change isn't going to be to hasty and the huge companies of todays leading Fuel providers will attempt to take and endulge in every last penny it can get from US citizens.

David Drake

Hey guess what:

Now if you are a sports car enthusiast, Mazda is coming out with a Gas/Hydrogen hybrid RX-7. They promise all the performance of current Rotary Rockets. So now you can ZOOM ZOOM and be ecologically correct -(:->

Cherrio

dave

GM (as much as I hate to say this) is on the right track. As far as I can see, from years of environmental study and activisim, the companies who stand to lose the most are the oil companies who have the capital and infrastructure to complete the problem of delivering this fuel source to the world. They own the land that the gas stations sit on, the transportation equipment, they have people who work in R&D! They are the ones who can decide the speed at wich the enevitable conversion will happen. I will do what I can to lobby my lawmakers to make this easy for the (evil) oil companies to correct the petro-chemical mess they have made and I am willing to forgive any one who will take active steps to correct a mistake.

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