August 22th 2002
Full steam ahead with hydrogen
Source:Herald Sun
HYDROGEN is looking more and more like a long-term fuel for the future.
Many carmakers are developing hydrogen-powered cars.
It's also considered a good bet as the basic energy for the fuel-cell cars
that will have
on-board electric generators beyond 2010.
BMW has already developed fairly conventional internal-combustion engines
that can run on
hydrogen.
This week we have an update on General Motors' Hy-wire, the first prototype
with a
hydrogen fuel cell and drive-by-wire technology. The Hy-wire includes the
fuel-cell technology
first shown in the AUTOnomy concept vehicle previewed at the Detroit Motor
Show this year.
GM intends to announce full details at the Paris Auto Salon on September 26.
But it's not just car companies that are turning to hydrogen.
Politicians can also see the potential and the State Opposition spokesman
on technology and
innovation, Victor Perton, says a Liberal government would use hydrogen
as part of the base
for its goal of zero net emissions.
"We should set big brave goals for environmental action," Perton says.
"We have three vehicle manufacturers in Victoria. I want to work with the
owners of those
plants to be the leaders in production of the new-generation hydrogen-powered
motor
vehicles for Australia, Asia and the Middle East.
"Work by BMW in Germany has demonstrated that existing vehicles can be
converted to
hydrogen power. We can lead in that conversion work.
"We will work to make Melbourne an international centre of excellence in
zero-emission
technology and persuade Ford, Toyota and Holden to join us in this quest.
"I want to work with our fuel producers and service-station owners to lead
the world in
distribution methods for hydrogen fuels.
"Our scientists and engineers are willing to take on the challenge."
