Vancouver 2009: Hydrogen Road Trip vehicles finish 1,700-mile trip
The Hydrogen Road Tour came to a successful conclusion here in Vancouver today after crossing through three states and two countries and making stops in 28 cities since starting in Chula Vista, California nine days ago. The Premier of British Columbia, the Honourable Gordon Campbell (pictured) said that the twelve H2 vehicles that made the 1,700-mile trip made an "incredible trek." He continued:
It is no small feat. Just a few years ago no one could have imagined that we would be able to go 32,000 [ed: actually, it's 3,200] kilometers with the only emission that we had to deal with is water. It is going to be something that is going to be part of our future, and you're at the leading edge of it.While the whole water-emissions-only thing needs an asterisk the size of Mount Ballard, there's no question that British Columbia is a good place for a fuel cell event. Campbell said that four of the twelve largest fuel cell firms operate here. We have more information on the Tour, including interview with people who were intimately involved with the endeavor and some driving impressions, coming soon.
Our travel and lodging for this event were paid for by the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jharlan 6:32PM (6/03/2009)
How clean was the process of producing the hydrogen from fossil fuel? How much did this meaningless stunt cost per vehicle mile? Who paid for it?
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cosmosis 6:44PM (6/03/2009)
According to the DoE reports on the industry, H2 from NGR is 80% including the energy for heating. For this process 1/3 of the hydrogen comes from the steam injected for the process
jboy 6:42PM (6/03/2009)
This was obviously funded by the oil companies. Easiest way to make hydrogen is from oil. Big oil needs Hydrogen cars to work.
But if they were smart, they would start buying up regional power companies instead...oh crap....Exxon Electric (barf!)
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p 11:49PM (6/03/2009)
Obviously. Check your facts before making assumptions. Oil companies didn't fund this event.
Chris M 3:18AM (6/04/2009)
Yep, the H2 came from steam reformed diesel and biodiesel, so it was really a diesel powered trek.
Serge 10:00AM (6/04/2009)
Actually, it seems that we (taxpayers) paid for it. "Team Hydrogen" received a lot of dough back in the day:
http://dir.salon.com/tech/feature/2004/04/29/hydrogen_no/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1043895542914047864.html
Team Hydrogen is partying on our dime, but that's their last. Thanks Obama!
Mehdi Cheddadi 6:58PM (6/03/2009)
hydrogen is the future. I love it!
can't wait to fill up my future hydrogen 400hp car!
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Ignatius 8:08PM (6/03/2009)
I hope you are aware that a hydrogen car is just an electric car with a hydrogen generator (fuel cell)... all the power is from electricity. Hydrogen sucks.
lazybones 2:38AM (6/04/2009)
You will be waiting a long time, probably quicker if you make it yourself :)
Chris M 3:27AM (6/04/2009)
400 hp? You've gotta be kidding. These automotive fuel cells runs 80 to 100 Kw, about 108 to 135 hp. The batteries add extra Kilowatts for peak power, but even so, the acceleration isn't anything to get excited over.
Even that modest power is very expensive, so a 400 hp / 296 Kw fuel cell is simply out of the question, cost wise.
jpm 8:26PM (6/03/2009)
what are these morons thinking?
ahhhhhhh.........
it was a 1700-mile fossil fuel road trip! give me a break!
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Lad 12:24AM (6/04/2009)
This hydrogen road trip runs on tax funding and PR horse manure to the detriment of electric car implementation funding.
Hydrogen is still a lab experiment!
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lazybones 2:42AM (6/04/2009)
No, probably not funded by big oil. Mainly because they don't have to. If 80% of H2 comes from Gas reforming, then they are already making $$$. No advertising required.
I'm just waiting to see how many oil companies (sorry Energy Companies) start investing in battery technology and solar panels....
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Chris M 3:31AM (6/04/2009)
I was posting a few polite comments on the "Hydrogen Road Trip" website, until Blencoe had a hissy fit with the moderator. Now it is "H2 flattery only" allowed!
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Chris M 4:20AM (6/04/2009)
One of the final blog entries on that "Hydrogen Road Trip" mentions loading the vehicles onto trucks for the ride back to LA. Hey, you really can't expect them to actually drive them back home, that would burn waaay too much diesel to make enough H2!
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DasBoese 5:35AM (6/04/2009)
Captain, the hype machine is losing pressure!
Quick, route emergency power to the copy-paste propaganda transmitters!
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