John & Regina's Hydrogen Car Adventure

May 5, 2008

Design News Editor-in-Chief John Dodge and Web Editor Regina Lynch will spend the day tomorrow with General Motors and one of its Chevy Equinox hydrogen fuel cell test vehicles. One of the most exciting aspects will be fueling the vehicle at a Shell Hydrogen facility in White Plains, NY (we pick the car up at GM’s Training Center in nearby Ardsley).

I blogged last week about the fact hydrogen still comes from fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas. And indeed, it does, but what makes this Shell refueling station (actually located in a DPW) is the hydrogen is made onsite from water and electricity, according to Brad Beauchamp, a GM Team Leader in the hydrogen fuel cell program. And the electricity comes straight off the grid so very well could be generated by fossil fuels. But we know it does not have to be. The more I learn, the more enticing hydrogen becomes. But I have not drunk the hydrogen Koolaid yet. Stay tuned for a full report including video post experience.

Posted by John Dodge on May 5, 2008 | Comments (4)

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September 16, 2008

In response to: John & Regina's Hydrogen Car Adventure
Markus Unread commented:

It won\'t let me post a url, so just go to wikipedia.org and look for Electricity_generation.

September 16, 2008

In response to: John & Regina's Hydrogen Car Adventure
Markus Unread commented:

Assuming that that hydrogen car is running off of hydrogen made by water electrolysis and grid power, then they should be proud that their \"pollution free\" car is actually a \"70% coal-natural gas / 19% nuclear / 11% other\" car. That\'s roughly the generation mix of the US power grid, if I remember correctly. Whenever a run into an EV enthusiast, I ask if they plug-in their car and then mention the generation mix -- talk about going ballistic :-) Instead of focusing on hydrogen, which is an easily centralized and price manipulated commodity (and, really, just another form of electricity), we really need to be concentrating on electricity generation that\'s distributed, efficient, and ecologically sound. Oh, here\'s a generation mix reference. http://en.wikipedia.org

June 27, 2008

In response to: John & Regina's Hydrogen Car Adventure
masimons commented:

Yes I would be interested in the overall efficiency of hydrogen vs battery. But onto topic of hydrogen stations, since all they need is water & electricity, then should be a quick matter of adding a hydrogen station over most of california. Of course with drought in california this will draw some criticism....but what doesn't.

May 27, 2008

In response to: John & Regina's Hydrogen Car Adventure
profgroove commented:

Let's resect the bovidae if we may; In the progression; electricity-hydrogen(electrolysis)-compression(tank)-electricity(fuel cell)-motor, what is the electricity to electricity ratio as compared to using a Li battery (yes, the range is shorter)? ... Then, what is the approx. cost per mile (what is the USA average cost $/kWh) for each (not to forget road taxes)? ... At, say, 35MPH of average driving what are the kWh/mile required?

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