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Worlds First Zero-Emissions Hummer Debuts in California

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger On Hand to Promote Hydrogen Highway

Celebrities often play an important commercial role in the automotive world, with nearly every car company having a hook-up with a famed actor, musician, or an icon of some sort. High-status figures such as Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Christina Aguilera speak on behalf of new products which reflect their lifestyles, personalities and public image. Perhaps the best pairing of a star and car was made by General Motors and tough-guy actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Over the years, ex-actor and now California Governor has represented Hummer having been one of the H1s first customers, even before the massive SUVs were available to the public. Acting in movies such as Terminator and Eraser,

General Motors has called on Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, to debut its latest advancement to the Hummer family, the H2H, a zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered H2 SUT. (Photo: General Motors)

the Austrians tough-as-nails image aligned perfectly with the unstoppable civilian version of AM Generals military issue Humvee.

Prior to the start of his political career, Schwarzenegger also helped introduce Hummers second vehicle, the H2. Although his position as Governor of California limits his ability to advertise new products, General Motors has called on Arnie to debut its latest advancement to the Hummer family, the

Schwarzenegger used the unveiling as an opportunity to promote his California state hydrogen highway project. (Photo: General Motors)

H2H, a zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered H2.

This time around, the arrangement between Hummer and Arnold was not their traditional automaker-spokesman relationship, however, but rather Schwarzenegger used the unveiling as an opportunity to promote his California state hydrogen highway.

Over the past few months, Arnold has campaigned for his hydrogen highway project to be built, which would consist of a network of hydrogen refueling stations throughout the states main arteries. Such a move would provide a fuel source for hydrogen cars, helping complete Schwarzeneggers dream of California (and

As opposed to conventional fuel cell vehicles, the H2H burns its hydrogen much like a regular car burns gasoline or diesel. (Photo: General Motors)

America, for that matter) becoming largely an emissions-free area within two decades.

In recent months, General Motors (Hummer especially), as well as many other automotive manufactures including DaimlerChrysler and Ford, have come under fire for producing environmentally unfriendly vehicles, gas guzzlers that emit excessive amounts of pollutants and emissions. It comes as no surprise that GM, in a bid to turn the negative image of its Hummer brand around has developed a one of a kind hydrogen drivetrain for one of the EPAs worst offenders. The H2H is off of Hummers new H2 SUT, painted in Laser Blue - a color never before seen on Hummer vehicles - and features a unique composite, sloping tonneau cover.

Despite

The GM-designed Vortec 6000 6.0-liter V8 produces a meager 180 horsepower when run on hydrogen, but produces zero emissions. (Photo: General Motors)

having several different hydrogen-burning motors and fuel systems in its arsenal, General Motors took the opportunity to develop a new, more practical hydrogen drivetrain for the H2H. As opposed to conventional fuel cell vehicles, like the Ballard-powered Mercedes A-Class that runs off of a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to provide power, the H2H burns its hydrogen much like a regular car burns gasoline or diesel. Much like the Ford H2 ICE (internal combustion engine) or BMW Clean-Fuel hydrogen-powered concepts, this Hummer features hydrogen injected directly into its engines cylinder combustion chambers.

Unlike traditional fuel-cell technology, injecting liquid hydrogen into an internal combustion environment produces less than optimal power. Even with the assistance of a supercharger, the GM-designed Vortec 6000 6.0-liter V8 produces a meager

The clean Hummer is equipped with three carbon-fiber hydrogen fuel tanks allowing for 12.1 pounds of hydrogen, or about 50 to 60 miles in range. (Photo: General Motors)

180 horsepower when run on hydrogen, only a fraction of the 316 horsepower produced by the SUVs regular gasoline-swilling powerplant. In any respect, the hydrogen-powered H2H has a hands-down advantage over the regular H2, with the only tailpipe emissions emitted being water vapor.

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