Hydrogen Cars!!!

[FMG CAMARO]

With gas prices getting so high and my 400 mile a week commute to work I have started researching Hydrogen cars. It seems the technology is there but the problem is getting enough fueling stations. I was reading the early Hydrogen cars will run on gas or hydrogen and have two seperate tanks. My first question is does anybody know what kind of fuel economy they get. All auto makers refer to range on a tank of fuel. What does this work out to in MPGs. Second if the gasoline is a thing of the past in 10-15 years where does that leave us with our small block and big block motors. Are conversion kits possible? Will there be a Holley 750 Hydrogen Carb?

FRANK

[Beige]

BMW's Hydrogen 7 supposedly gets 19.2 mpg on hydrogen and 20 on gas. I don't know what standards were used to come up with that number though.

As for converting whatever engine you have now to Hydrogen. I think the biggest issue is adapting the storage medium to your car, not actually burning the fuel.
Hydrogen burns easily so i'd imagine it would be really susceptible to hot spots in the combustion chamber which would be my main concern as far as running it in an engine.
I'd also like to know if improper combustion conditions can allow it to produce NOX or other pollutants. But that's more out of curiosity than of concern.

[406 Q-ship]

There is quite a few issues with Hydrogen as a fuel, the major one is how much energy it takes to make mass amounts of the gas, and turning it in to liquid form.

To convert an existing engine to use hydrogen is more than just changing the carb or injectors. The main by product of hydrogen combustion is water, so basicly you end up with water vapor in the cylinder so things like rings, pistons, and blocks must by very corrosion resistent. Storage is another issue, size of the tank and crush resistance in event of accident. People still rememeber the Hindenburg and are resistent to use hydrogen as a fuel due to that.

[Tony_SS]

How far is it one way? If it's less than 70miles you could go electric and charge at work. :)

[FMG CAMARO]

It is only 40 miles each way. But I doubt my employer would like me charging my car. I work for the city of new york. I would probably get arrested for stealing city resources.

[funbnme]

How about a smartcar? Probably be easier to get around in the city since it's so small and it gets good mileage.

[megaladon6]

you've never driven NYC have you. a smart car will not cut it on so many levels.

[funbnme]

True...I have survived many cab rides there though. I can see how you'd be taking your life in your own hands.

But you could probably fit it in a motorcycle parking spot. :)

[Turbo67camaro]

Honda is developing a home energy station that will generate the hydrogen for your car at home. It will also provide heat and electricity for your home, act as a backup generator, all in a single package. It uses natural gas as source fuel.

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/owning/home-energy-station/