You might ask yourself, why? Why hydrogen? Why now? A $600 Million increase in fuel costs might be one reason. We can’t look past the fact that they are testing new vehicles out, either. It may be a sham to appease the public for now, but what they learn may make a real difference.

Of course, ask them and they say they’ve been testing alternatives since the battery-run cars of the early 20th Century. They’ll also say they have 43,000 autos “capable” of using alternative fuels. Capable, shmapable. I hope they figure out a plan to switch to different trucks, because using nearly $2 Billion in fuel results in a heck of a lot of pollution.

Source: U.S. Postal Service

Post from: EveryJoe

US Post Office Gives Hydrogen a Try

Hybridfest 2008
Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Located at Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin

You’ll be able to catch plug-ins, electrics, biodiesel, hydrogen and other alternative autos, as well as listen to the experts speak on how to save gas with everyday vehicles. Then there’s the Hybridfest MPG Challenge where drivers do their best to stretch their mileage.

Speakers include:
Felix Kramer, Cal-Cars
Mike Granoff, Project Better Place
Jo-Ann Yantzis, Clean Energy
Francis Vogel, Wisconsin Clean Cities
Wayne Gerdes, CleanMPG
Peter Kozan, MPG Challenge Winner
Michael Sefton, Diesels 101

Hybridfest 2008 is presented as part of Dane County Fair. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 11, parking and admission for younger children is free. Visit the Hybridfest website for more information.

* Don’t forget to comment to win a free Rand McNally road atlas … now Earth-Friendlier!*

Post from: EveryJoe

Hybridfest 2008 – Madison, Wisc.

Here are my favorites:

#10 West Philly Hybrid EVX
http://www.EVXTeam.org

This program just blows me away. Started by Simon Hauger, a high school math and physics teacher, the mechanical engineering program at West Philadelphia High School has seen mind-blowing results from their former projects. The group won Tour de Sol, and now their eyes are on the X Prize with diesel and gas hybrid versions of the Toyota Corolla which should provide the market with a viable plug-in for under $25,000.

#4 Phoenix SUT
http://www.phoenixmotorcars.com

With the initial production schedule ready to roll out within the month, the Phoenix Sports Utility Truck seats a reasonable amount of people for today’s truck consumers, goes up to 95 mph with a 100+ mile range per charge and the batters can charge in 10 minutes using an upgraded charger.

#2 Tesla Whitestar
http://www.teslamotors.com

Yep, the car all the hubbub is about. While they haven’t released any information on their design, they already have electric cars in production. Popular cars that have received excellent feedback.

That isn’t to say I don’t like any of the other competing companies. I just think these have the best chance of producing a car at a reasonable price that will connect with the most consumers.

Who do you like?

Post from: EveryJoe

Top 10 X Prize Hopefuls

Hyundai’s Elantra will come in two varieties. One version will run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) … propane. The other version will be a “traditional” gas-electric hybrid.

Following will be a hybrid version of the Hyundai Sonata in 2010, along with a Kia Optima hybrid and an SUV hybrid called the Borrego. Their existing hydrogen fuel-cell program also has plans for expansion, with the first cars for sale hitting lots in 2012.

I was surprised to learn that propane is actually 3rd, after diesel, in the world’s choice for car fuels. It lasts longer, and cars using propane tend to last longer too. It also kicks out 60% fewer emissions than gasoline. Sounds like a great choice for a hybrid.

Post from: EveryJoe

Electric-Propane hybrid? Hyundai’s Elantra in 2009, Kia hybrid 2010

And it’s not hard to tell why. This luxury crossover is packed with techie-(and environmentally-friendly)goodness.

* hydrogen fuel cells
* solar panel rooftop
* plug-ins to feed the lithium-ion batteries to the left and right
* special vents in the grill that can open up to create a more aerodynamic experience

People are really excited by this new car. The only question left is whether or not GM will go on to produce one. Hopefully that answer is yes, but with hydrogen fueling stations few and far between. The Equinox will be tested soon in Southern Cal markets, where the Honda Clarity FCX will be leased starting Summer 2009. How long will it take for this new trend in alternative auto technology to catch on, and what will it mean to the burgeoning ethanol plants Midwestern states have invested so much in?

Source:
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/01/cadillac-unveil.html

Post from: EveryJoe

Introducing the Cadillac Provoq

At this year’s LA Auto Show, Honda took a big step into the future announcing that the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle will be offered for lease in the summer of 2008. For $600.00 per month – including maintenance and collision insurance – customers will be able to lease a an FCX Clarity for a term of 3 years.

This, of course, begs the question … how responsible a choice are hydrogen-fueled cars? I know, I know. I’m not an engineer, and I don’t really understand the science behind a lot of things other bloggers do, but I’m worried that hydrogen trades dependence on one fuel that uses up resources and pollutes the air for another whose production will use up resources/pollute our air. I know you can make it with fairly environmentally friendly options, but with the costs being higher, I’m not sure they’ll win out.

Then there are safety concerns. What will happen if there’s a leak? Or in a collision? The technology – for consumers – is still very new, and like most new things, it will take a few brave souls to test the waters. Unfortunately, those souls won’t be found among my immediate family. For one, there is very limited availability – the lease option is restricted to residents of Torrance, Santa Monica and Irvine areas. For two, it’s a four-person sedan, which just doesn’t fit our family’s needs. I’m going to hunt around for more information on safety though, because I would imagine, if anything kills the hydrogen-fueled car, it will be the public’s perception of safety.

Image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Lease a Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle

Chevy Silverado Hybrid

Chrysler Aspen Hybrid 
(Does anyone else hate the Charlie Brown hair on the hood??)

Dodge Durango Hybrid 

Honda Fuel Cell Vehicle
(Which looks curiously like the Prius.)

Mercedes S400 Hybrid

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

Post from: EveryJoe

LA Auto Show – Silverado, Aspen, Durango, S400, and Cayenne hybrids

 ”It is both quick and quiet since it is an electric vehicle with a lot fewer moving parts than the traditional internal combustion-powered truck.

GM believes that the cost of filling up with hydrogen would be competitive with gasoline.

Of course, the key advantages are reducing the nation’s dependence on oil, and the fact that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit only water vapor.”

The bad news, and the reason why these cars won’t be on the market by next year? (Or the year after.) Though fourth generation, the current hydrogen cells being used by GM have an estimated 50,000 mile lifespan. Experts expect development to take at least another 5 years.

Post from: EveryJoe

GM’s Hydrogen powered Equinox Gets a Thumbs Up