Hydrogen Car

Toyota will open up the hydrogen-powered Mirai order books on July 20. You won't just be able to click to get one, though.

They say you can always tell the pioneers. They're the ones with the arrows in their backs. Unfortunately, that was our experience pursuing – and eventually rejecting – the new hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hyundai Tucson.

Mercedes-Benz is keen on fuel cell technology and has developed a fuel cell B-Class with an impressive 249-mile range (you should get something for your $849 a month – see it in action here). During a media presentation at the Detroit Auto Show recently, Mercedes announced that a fleet of 70 B-Class vehicles powered by fuel cells will soon be seen on the roads of California as part of an global project to prove that fuel cell vehicles are a viable option as a clean vehicle. The fleet will

Toyota FCHV-adv – Click above for high-res image gallery

Riversimple hydrogen fuel cell car – Click above for high-res image gallery

1972 hydrogen-powered AMC Gremlin – Click above for high-res image gallery

1972 hydrogen-powered AMC Gremlin – Click above for high-res image gallery

Horizon's H-Cell 2.0 fuel cell kit – Click above to watch video after the jump

Kia Borrego FCEV – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hawaii is set to get the first hydrogen fueling infrastructure in the United States thanks to a pilot project announced today by General Motors and The Gas Company. The Gas Company is the local natural gas and propane utility on the island state. Hawaii makes an ideal location for testing new transportation technologies as a result of its isolation, and the relatively small size of the islands means that you can never get all that far from the fueling network.

Hawaii is set to get the first hydrogen fueling infrastructure in the United States thanks to a pilot project announced today by General Motors and The Gas Company. The Gas Company is the local natural gas and propane utility on the island state. Hawaii makes an ideal location for testing new transportation technologies as a result of its isolation, and the relatively small size of the islands means that you can never get all that far from the fueling network.

Third-gen Toyota FCHV-adv – Click above for high-res image gallery

Third-gen Toyota FCHV-adv – Click above for high-res image gallery

Just a few days ago, we told you about Germany's commitment of $2 billion for the construction of at least 1,000 hydrogen refueling stations. A month ago, we learned about London's decision to build a network of hydrogen filling stations in time for the 2012 Olympics. But, outside of California's Hydrogen Highway, we don't hear too much about the progress of hydrogen infrastructure and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles here in the U.S. Don't worry; this story is no different.

Not too long ago we learned that BMW was secretly working on a hydrogen hybrid powertrain. Then, just days ago, we brought spy shots of the real deal caught in action. Yep, that's a modified front-wheel drive 1 Series pictured sporting both hydrogen and electric components. Now there's even more to this developing story.

The lunch keynote speaker at Toyota's Sustainable Mobility Seminar today was Scott Samuelsen, director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at University of California, Irvine. When he was talking about the on-campus hydrogen fueling station, he said that the facility was overtaxed by the 15 or so vehicles it refuels on an average day. We asked why so few cars are putting this big a strain on the station, since that's not exactly high traffic. Samuelsen told AutoblogGreen that the station w

The jury is still out on whether hydrogen-fueled cars will be a competitive alternative in the future. BMW still seems to think it will be. Honda hasn't given up on its FCX Clarity hydrogen car either. Cities like London are laying the preliminary groundwork for a network of hydrogen filling stations. And then there's Ahhhnold and his hydrogen highway.

BMW hydrogen hybrid 1 Series prototype – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Big Japanese Three automakers are all working on fuel cell vehicles. This is no surprise, especially to anyone who remembers that, between 1998 and 2004, two out of every three fuel cell patent applications were filed by Japanese companies. What might be a surprise is how big the domestic fuel cell market there might be in fifteen years.