But one isn't required, argues Burns. In Canada and the United States combined, nearly 200,000 fuel stations distribute gasoline. Millions of kilometres of pipelines and thousands of tanker trucks feed into a huge system developed over the past century. Replacing that infrastructure entirely is unrealistic.
Instead, GM believes that a hydrogen network can be built at a fraction of the cost. The key is to concentrate on select urban centres.
"We don't think about this as a nationwide deployment on Day 1, where everything has to be covered immediately," says Britta Gross, GM's manager for hydrogen and electrical infrastructure.
For instance, an initial network of 40 hydrogen stations in Los Angeles would cost $80-million (U.S.) and cover the needs of that city in the early years of hydrogen deployment, she says.
And in Vancouver, perhaps 20 stations would do the job. Already there are three stations in operation. As for the hydrogen fuel itself, well, there is that pulp mill right there on English Bay.
*****
Hydrogen vehicles
The California Fuel Cell Partnership conducted a road rally from San Diego to Vancouver featuring state-of-the-art hydrogen-powered
passenger vehicles.
The road rally arrived in Vancouver during the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 conference this month. Here's a look at the participating
vehicles:
DAIMLER
Daimler, the parent of Mercedes-Benz and Smart, has more than 100 Daimler fuel cell vehicles in service on four continents around the world. The Daimler F-Cell FCV has its entire fuel cell system, along with the hydrogen tanks, located in the under-floor of the vehicle. This way, no space is lost either in the passenger compartment or the luggage area. The A-Class F-Cell can accommodate four passengers.
Range: 267 km
Power: 89 hp
Torque: 156 lb-ft
Top Speed: 142 km/h
GENERAL MOTORS
GM believes that the ultimate solution for "clean" driving is in hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles. The Equinox Fuel Cell is a fully functional crossover vehicle, engineered for 80,000 km of life. Importantly, the Equinox Fuel Cell is able to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures.
Range: 240 km
Power: 94 kW
Torque: 236 lb-ft
Top Speed: 160 km/h
HONDA
The FCX Clarity has Honda's newest-generation powerplant with Honda's V-Flow fuel-cell stack. It is capable of sub-freezing startups in temperatures as low as minus-22F.
Range: 384 km
Power: 100 kW
Torque: 189 lb-ft
Top Speed: 160 km/h
HYUNDAI
Hyundai says the Tucson FCEV is among the most commercially viable fuel-cell prototypes. The company says the vehicle is part of its continuing look at fuel-cell technologies for future applications.
Range: 354 km
Power: 100kW
Torque: 300 Nm
Top Speed: 155 km/h
KIA
The Borrego FCEV is Kia's second-generation fuel-cell vehicle. Borrego FCEVs are being tested in the United States and South Korea. With this vehicle, Kia is closer to making fuel- cell vehicles available for consumers, the company says.
Range: 682 km
Power: 110 kW
Torque: 300 Nm
Top Speed: 160 km/h
NISSAN
The Xterra-based fuel-cell vehicle is being tested under real-world conditions as part of the California Fuel Cell Partnership program. But Nissan, like others, says its R&D program is researching various types of alternative fuel vehicles, including electric, natural gas, methanol, solar energy and fuel cells.
Range: 496 km
Power: 90kW
Torque: 280 Nm
Top Speed: 149 km/h
TOYOTA
In 2002, Toyota began limited marketing of the Toyota FCHV (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle), leasing vehicles in the United States and Japan. The FCHV is an improvement over the FCHV-4 prototype, which underwent 18 months and more than 128,000 km of real-world testing in California and Japan.
Range: 786 km
Power: 90 kW
Torque: 192 lb-ft
Top Speed: 154 km/h
VOLKSWAGEN
The Tiguan HyMotion concept features a fuel-cell system integrated in the engine compartment capable of 107 horsepower. With an assist from the electric motor, the Tiguan HyMotion advances to 134 horsepower.
Power: 134 hp
Top Speed: 149 km/h
