Hydrogen vehicle tour motoring into South Carolina
By Ron Menchaca
Video
Hydrogen Power
Scientists at the Center for Hydrogen Research in Aiken are working to make hydrogen a viable energy alternative.
Curious or skeptical about the promise of hydrogen- fueled vehicles? Test drive the green technology Saturday when several of the world's largest automakers roll into South Carolina with their hydrogen-powered cars and SUVs.
South Carolina, considered a national leader in the emerging industry, is one of 18 states on the promotional tour and will host stops in the Upstate, Columbia and Aiken County.
The two-week tour kicked off Monday in Portland, Maine, and will head down the East Coast before going west. The trip concludes Aug. 23 in Los Angeles.
The South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance is organizing the visit to promote the benefits of clean-burning hydrogen and to highlight the state's hydrogen research and development efforts, said Mark Sieckman, alliance communications director.
Past story
Hydrogen research on rise; State makes name for self in emerging technology, published 08/03/08
The state's first permanent hydrogen fuel station is being built in Columbia, and the capital city will host the industry's annual convention in March.
For the tour, the National Hydrogen Association and U.S. Department of Transportation teamed with the likes of BMW, Honda, Toyota, GM and other automakers to highlight the fact that the technology already exists to power cars with the most abundant element on Earth.
S.C. tour stops
South Carolinians will have three chances Saturday to test drive hydrogen-fueled vehicles made by several top automakers.
TIME: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
LOCATION: BMW Zentrum Museum, 1400 Highway 101 S, Greer
TIME: 2-4 p.m.
LOCATION: Midlands Technical College, 316 N. Beltline Blvd., Columbia
TIME: 5:30-7 p.m.
LOCATION: Bridgestone/Firestone, 1 Bridgestone Parkway, Graniteville
For more information on the tour, visit The DOT web site
Sieckman said the fact that every major car company is represented on the tour demonstrates a commitment to push hydrogen as a realistic solution to pollution and reliance on foreign oil.
Russ Keller, who focuses on alternative energy as a senior director at the South Carolina Research Authority, said the more automakers invest in hydrogen vehicles, the easier it will be to develop the fueling infrastructure to support them.
The authority is part of several ongoing public-private partnerships around the state aimed at giving South Carolina a leg up in a hydrogen economy.
So far, there's been little hydrogen activity in the Charleston area. But Keller said the Charleston Air Force Base and Port of Charleston present prime opportunities for hydrogen-powered work trucks and small utility vehicles. "I've been drumming that quietly in the background. I hope we can get that technology down here."
Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier.com or 937-5724.
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jammer (anonymous) says...
wow... I have to see this, I'm heading to one of those places to take a test drive
I've been saying for a cpl yrs this is where we are headed, now I get a chance to see it in person!
August 15, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
number1volsfan1 (anonymous) says...
I wasn't aware a practical, hydrogen powered engine had been developed! Very interesting!
August 15, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bribetaker (anonymous) says...
When I was in college back in the 70's, my best friend was a mechanical engineer and he was on the team that built a hydrogen experimental car as the school's entry in the big alternative fuel competition run by the US car companies up in Detroit. They really just converted a gas car....a VW rabbit...into a hydrogen car. Slapped on a turbo, jacked up the compression to about 20:1 and obviously, a different fuel tank, but I was amazed at how few parts they really had to change out. I believe they won the acceleration category as it was only slightly less peppy than the gas model. My point is this...the technology has been around for that long....get on with it.
August 15, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Do we have a leader with GONADs that will step up to the PLATE and say....
"No MORE "NEW" gas powered cars will be SOLD in South Carolina starting in 2010 !!"
YOUR right BRIBETAKER........... GET ON WITH IT !!!
People can still drive all the OLD gas cars they like !!
ARE WE GOING TO LEAD THE WORLD..... ???
August 15, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
saturndude (anonymous) says...
well zoomru, as fabulous of an idea as that would be, no politician would support such a radical idea. Terminating the gas-powered automobile industry would mean terminating hundreds of thousands of jobs.. now yes, it would open up a window of opportunity for a new market in hydrogen-powered cars, but it's too big of a step to take all at once.
i would love to be proven wrong, unfortunately i doubt it would happen so quickly..
August 15, 2008 at 10:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
popwhatsup (anonymous) says...
I realize that it is an old technolodgy that is comeing of age.I don't think it will lose any jobs just think it might add some.A new market in hydrogen-powered cars.
August 15, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10216340 (anonymous) says...
I don't know much about the technology but have been hearing a lot about it lately. What is the down side? Are there any negatives (environmentally speaking)?
August 16, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
only if it blows up 10216340
August 16, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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