Diesel Hummer, Zero Emissions Vehicle?
No joking folks. April Fools Day is best left to amateurs, as one of my hokey friends has been known to say. Hummer has dedicated time and (very little) effort to new, more earth-friendly SUVs AND SUTs. (SUT? Really?)
The 2009 H2 models out later this year will be FlexFuel capable, something that other companies have been making standard for nearly a decade now. By 2010, all of their cars will be E85 capable, meaning they will use even more fuel than before, but emissions will be less. According to Autobloggreen, a diesel may be in the works (bringing bio-diesel into play).
Roughly 30,000 of these hit the road every year, so it does add up. I guess.
What about their H2H Hummer Hydrogen prototypes? They’ve been on the road since October of 2004, and go a whopping 60 miles on 12 lbs of fuel. A collaboration between the Governor’s office, GM and Quantum Technologies, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere quickly.
Hummer is a good example of how the law propels progress (making the recent decision by the California Air Resources Board so tragic). This is a quote from their website regarding the new H2 SUT.
The H2 SUT’s new engine is not just more efficient, but beats the deadline for the new US federal emissions standards by a year.
That’s their benchmark, and if expectations go down, so will their priority with one of the world’s leading gas-guzzler brands.
Once (not if) cellulite fuel production comes into full play, the more fuel needed scenario should play itself out.
Of course Hydrogen is really the way to go, but how on earth do get the humble masses to handle the gas reliably and safely.
Better to have an middle road for the time being, besides once we go Hydrogen, we can use the conversion facilities to capture and store access carbon. :-)