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Automakers, Energy Companies and Governments Join Hydrogen Infrastructure Project

Is a Hydrogen Economy Truly Around the Corner?

The automotive industry has long been one of the most competitive verticals in the business world, something that will no doubt continue for time immemorial. But recently new alliances have developed that previously would have seemed extremely unlikely.

For instance, after a battle for domestic and now world dominance that has lasted nearly a century, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corp. have joined forces to develop a new 6-speed automatic transmission (see the news on 12/4/2004: GM and Ford Develop 6-Speed Automatic Gearbox in Cooperation). Additional odd bedfellows included Japans number one

The need for new technologies at the lowest possibly cost promotes new alliances, even in the highly competitive automotive industry. Ford is joining a government led initiative to develop a hydrogen infrastruce throughout the U.S. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

and two, Toyota and Nissan, the latter buying hybrid gasoline-electric technology from the former to be integrated into an upcoming HEV based on the Altima. The list of unlikely cooperative partners in recent years is almost as long as the list of premium brands owned by Ford or Volkswagen.

Only the former of these two global automakers is taking part in the United States Department of Energy (DOE),

Toyota, Honda (shown) and Nissan, plan to assign 65 fuel cell vehicles to the United States Department of Energy demonstration. (Photo: Honda of America)

as part of its national "Controlled Hydrogen Fleet and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project," a 5-year program to develop a hydrogen refueling infrastructure system in the United States.

Additional automakers involved in the project include Toyota, Honda and Nissan, which combined have plans to assign 65 fuel cell vehicles, and BMW that will offer up to 15 hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine vehicles to the collective cause. DaimlerChrysler has offered to supply its fuel cell vehicles to fleets in certain U.S. markets, while Ford plans to deliver up to 30 hydrogen-powered vehicles to the project.

Hyundai Motor Co. is involved too, in a team also consisting

BMW will offer up to 15 hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine vehicles to the cooperative hydrogen initiative. (Photo: BMW of North America)

of UTC Fuel Cells and ChevronTexaco Corp. set up to head a 5-year demonstration and validation project organized to showcase practical applications of hydrogen energy technology.

Along with the automakers, energy company BP will build a network of hydrogen fueling stations in metropolitan Sacramento, CA, Orlando, FL, and Detroit, MI.

The project, that will also involve two California universities and various public agencies, is hoping to achieve real-world experience with fuel cell vehicles. By doing so it will address related issues such as the cost effective production of hydrogen fuel, for one, and setting up a refueling infrastructure, both critical to hydrogen powered vehicles gaining acceptance in the marketplace. On that latter note, the project will also attempt to educate the public about the forthcoming hydrogen economy.

Most likely additional automakers and support partners will step up to take part in the new initiative.

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