FedEx tries out GM's hydrogen fuel cells
GM has been testing its fuel cell technology on one of the most arduous motoring courses in the world: the stop-and-go hell of a FedEx route in downtown Tokyo. The yearlong experiment uses GM's HydroGen 3, which GM claims does not pollute one single iota. The FedEx implementation puts the fuel cell through its paces by subjecting it to high temps, constant stopping and starting, and long idle times. This FedEx truck, which is actually more of a FedEx van or FedEx MPV, was modified to hold the large fuel cell which provides a 250 miles range. It is the first hydrogen vehicle approved for public use in Japan. GM plans to sell hydrogen vehicles to the general public by 2010.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James 11:10PM (12/18/2005)
There's a lot of talk about "the hydrogen economy" however while the car manufacturers are busy experimenting there seems little talk from the big energy(oil) companies about how we are going to be fueling the one million hydrogen cars GM expects us to be driving in 2010.
Hydrogen is not a fuel source and needs to be produced from something. Big oil companies like ExxonMobil would like this to be oil (suprisingly enough). But as oil is running out (www.peakoil.net) it would be much better to produce hyrdrogen from renewable non-polluting sources of electricity like wind power & solar power.
Spain has just set a goal of producing 40% of its electricity using windpower by 2011
see:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5377275/
If we were to stop using (or run out of) oil we would need to generate FOUR times more electricity. To carry on driving the cars we all love we need a major investment in renewable electricity.
It's good to see GM promoting hydrogen fuel cell technology which it is doing for the bottom line as well as to protect the environment
see:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/02/60II/main547412.shtml
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Brad Bradshaw 11:10PM (12/18/2005)
Re: Hydrogen Sources - There are plenty of sources of hydrogen, which vary in terms of sustainability, economics, and emissions. In Massachusetts alone, one-fifth of the cars (750,000) could be sustainably fueled on hydrogen from 41 landfills and 135 waste water treatment plants. This would significantly reduce foreign oil dependancy, reduce emissions, and keep our dollars from going over seas.
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Andrew Marconi 11:10PM (12/18/2005)
I strongly advise everyone to buy as much solar powered, and solar collecting devices and regularly use them.
There are plenty of simple things that can be quickly used, and are not difficult to operate. For several years TI has had solar powered calculators. Lights have become more common, especially flashlights have been solared power. These are more difficult to find, however they are available. Solar panels can be used to power lap tops, electric battery lawn mowers, I'm certain that you can determine even more to use.
Hydrogen is a great possiblity, however without energy to provide Hydrogen, then we will have a dramatic transportation problem. After all fossil fuels take a few hundred thousand of years to produce. This is why every small part we can do to provide electricy - energy - from renewable energy sources the better.
2010 GM is planning everyone to use Hydrogen cars. I believe by that time GM is hoping that what is happening in Germany will be starting in all of America. Thus a new Market is open.
I should be happy, or I hope I will. I hope that the energy used to create that Hydrogen will be by Solar. In a Fuel Station that has Solar panels roofs, and solar panel canopy over the lot. Not only collecting solar power, but sheltering the customers from all sorts of environmental conditions. Rain, snow, sleet, hail, the direct blast of a scrotching summer sun!
I hope for all of your help, we'll all need it.
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