Quantum leaping towards hydrogen hybrid
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies is the company that converted several Toyota Prius electric-gasoline hybrids to use hydrogen fuel-cell systems. The modified vehicles are currently being tested by several state agencies across the nation. (See Related links below.)CEO Alan Niedzwiecki, in an interview, sees hydrogen fuel cells as the next vehicle technology in the coming decades. "The auto companies have, you know," he says, "have indicated that hydrogen is the end game, that they see a point where there could be a large scale transition, probably over the next 15 to 20 years you could see a huge displacement into (hydrogen) vehicles. Between now and then there's going to be quite a ramp up."
Quantum is currently exploring ways to expand its operations and products beyond the government and into the hands of consumers. The challenge, according to Niedzwiecki, is technical, about how to improve the longevity of the engine and its technology. The company is confident it will overcome the hurdles though would not give a time frame.
Related:
- Prius hydrogen hybrids to be leased to the State of California later this year
- Hydrogen hybrid Prius cars arrive in Golden State
[Source: Voice of America]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Howard Lee Harkness 11:23AM (8/13/2006)
"CEO Alan Niedzwiecki, in an interview, sees hydrogen fuel cells as the next vehicle technology in the coming decades."
Unless some less energy-intensive way is devised to produce hydrogen, and somebody either changes several of the laws of physics and chemistry (or at least finds a work-around for things like metal embrittlement and the fact that hydrogen has an enormous explosive range of mixture with air), Alan Niedzwieck is dead wrong.
Political Correctness make bad science, and bad economics.
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Rick 3:00PM (8/13/2006)
Alan, at some point (maybe 5 degrees, maybe 10 degrees in the future) the human race will need to decide it's priorities. Political correctness has nothing to do with anything.
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Paul W. Meyn Sr. 9:18PM (8/13/2006)
Big money encourages more petroleum driven vehicles as their money lies within.
I've been an Aviation Electrician and Aviation Electronics person most of my adult life. My last eight years military was in computers for strike control and surveilance.
Their has to be a relatively non-complex answer on how to separate water into its respective elements. Either no one has found the answer or big money is covering up the process. I choose to believe the latter.
Paul Meyn
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Jim 9:57PM (8/13/2006)
Take a look at the plummet of Quantum's stock over the past five years if you want to see how much big business believes in Alan and the product (although some of the decline seems to be due to basic bad business practices, like massive stock dilution)
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