Daimler's 36 hydrogen fuel cell buses, including some that were used in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and since then used as public transportation vehicles in Berlin, have now driven more than two million kilometers (about 1.24m miles) in daily driving. 30 buses were in Europe and there were three each in Perth, Australia and Beijing, China. Daimler says that the buses are proof that its fuel cell tech (also available in cars, of course) has "proved its worth in different climatic regions." The buses - which have moved over seven million passengers during 135,000 operating hours since 2003 - operated throughout Europe, from Sweden to Spain. The European buses are known as HyFLEET:CUTE (Hydrogen Fleet Clean Urban Transport for Europe) and are all being monitored so Daimler knows how to make better hydrogen fuel cell systems in the future. More details after the jump.

There was a panel discussion at this week's SAE Congress that I couldn't pass up. Titled "Fuel Cell Vehicle Panel: Challenges Remaining for Commercialization," the session was a bit of a brainstorm on just how we might one day drive hydrogen-fueled cars with some of the people who are working quite diligently on the problem today. The panel featured Dr. Massimo Venturi, CTO of NuCellsys GmbH, Germany, Dr. Kev Adjemian, senior principle engineer, Nissan Fuel Cell Laboratory, Michigan, and Dr. James Miller, director, Electrochemical Technology Program, Argonne National Lab (for DOE), Fuel Cell Laboratory, Chicago. The three spoke and answered questions for about 30 minutes. Needless to say, the big problems weren't solved in this half hour, but it was enlightening to hear from another industry panel where things stand today regarding the automobile and the hydrogen economy. Considering that the public's perception of hydrogen fuel is currently defined (for many) as the Hindenberg explosion, there are more than just technological issues to deal with.

Because of the nature of the SAE Congress, I did not have permission to post the audio of this panel. Instead, I've detailed some of what was said and given a few of my own thoughts after the break.

GM isn't the only one ready for a lot of hydrogen fuel cell cars. Daimler chairman Dieter "Dr. Z" Zetsche believes that the technology for fuel cell vehicles is here today and that vehicles using the hydrogen-for-energy system will be available in five to eight years time. Zetsche also believes that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will compare favorably with their competition, which we assume means other alternative powertrains like full-electrics and hybrids. One reason he cites as a fuel cell benefit over electric cars is range, suggesting that hydrogen electrics could travel 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen. One unanswered question, though, is how far will pure electrics be able to go on a single charge in five to eight years time. Still, by refilling a hydrogen tank, the driver gets another 300 miles while it will likely take another full charge for the electric car. Zetsche recognizes that a potential problem area exists regarding the infrastructure that a hydrogen fueling system would require. We remain intrigued by the technology, but recognize that major advancements must be made before jumping on the fuel cell bandwagon. We also believe that other extended-range electric vehicle technologies will allow for many of the same benefits as hydrogen fuel cells.

[Source: Just-Auto (sub. req'd.)]

As we wrote on April Fool's Day (but wasn't a joke), GM's vice president for research & development and planning, Larry Burns, delivered a speech at the National Hydrogen Association conference highlighting his GM's bullish stance on hydrogen cars. Reuters spoke to Burns about his speech and learned of the General's plans to have 1,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles driving in California between 2012 and 2014. Through Project Driveway, GM already has around 60 fuel cell Equinoxes in SoCal, and Burns told Reuters that "The next logical play for us is to take that up to a car scale of about 1,000," with mainstream acceptance and financial viability of hydrogen cars following in 2017 or 2018. We'll see.

[Source: Reuters]

When we hear the words "hydrogen highway," we can't help but think about the California initiative to build hydrogen fueling stations in that state. Crown Equipment Corporation, based in New Bremen, Ohio, has announced that the "Hydrogen Highway Leads to New Bremen." The reason is a $1m state grant from the Ohio Department of Development and Ohio's Third Frontier Commission to research hydrogen fuel cells for the company's lift trucks. It seems that fork lifts are really the dark horse in the fuel cell race, with announcements like this and this not exactly rare. Heck, even the President is a big fan.

Crown's million will be used to address "the technical and commercial barriers to the application of available battery replacement fuel cell power packs in industrial lift trucks" through a study of how fuel cell lifts will be made useful in the warehouse. As Crown President Jim Dicke III said in a statement, all those heavy batteries in current lift trucks provide a nice counterweight to whatever is being lifted. Swap those lead acids out for a light fuel cell, and what happens when you try to life a pallet of books? Still, Dicke and others are confident that fuel cell lift trucks are the future. They're not as sexy as the FCX Clarity or the Provoq, but they're probably going to be available much sooner.

[Source: Crown Equipment Corporation]

Any future version of the "hydrogen economy," if such a thing ever exists at all, will require massive amounts of technology which has either not yet been invented or needs much more refinement. If you are interested in knowing more about these upcoming technologies, including hydrogen-powered cars, maybe you should check out the 2008 Hydrogen Expo in Sacramento, California. The event started today and will continue through April first (Tuesday). Besides seeing exciting technology such as a fuel cell powered blender and a cybercafe running on fuel cell power, you might be able to drive one of fifteen available hydrogen powered cars. If you're in the area, this event may be worth checking out to see in person some of the cool concept vehicles that you read about on these very pages. Feel free to send us some pictures if you go.

[Source: 2008 Hydrogen Expo]

click photo to enlarge

Testing fuel cell vehicles is all the rage these days, and Mercedes isn't missing out on the action. The latest hydrogen vehicle tests from the three-pointed star company took place in wintery Sweden. Wouldn't want to coddle a car or anything.

Daimler recently took a B-Class hydrogen car using an optimized fuel-cell system based on the stack in the F 600 HYGENIUS from 2005 through its paces. According to the company, the vehicle worked well in some real world cold situations, was able to hold the road, and in general passed the tests "with flying colours." The road handling issue is extra important, Daimler says, because electric motors (in this case, powered by the fuel cell) don't govern speed the same way as traditional ICEs. Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler AG board member with responsibility for Research and Development at Mercedes Benz Cars, said the tests showed the drive concept is on the right track. More tests will be done on the fuel cell B-Class in the coming months in preparation for small-series production in 2010. Read more from Daimler after the break

Like Toyota, General Motors has offered some additional information into their viewpoint regarding hydrogen and fuel cells. As we recently reported, Toyota's Irv Miller called out The Wall Street Journal for bad reporting practices when they quoted Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe as suggesting that fuel cells were falling off the alternative fuel roadmap. GM's Bob Lutz was also quoted in that WSJ article, and it seems that he may have been misunderstood as well. According to Robert Babik, director of emissions, environment, energy and safety policy at General Motors, the General still sees hydrogen as a possible solution to our energy woes. Maybe it'll take 50 years, but it seems that both Toyota and GM are committed to the technology.

[Source: CNN Money]

Now that the writer's strike is over, we can worry about the details of the 80th Annual Academy Awards (the Oscars) instead of whether or not they'll take place at all. GM released a statement today (available after the jump) saying they'd ferry celebs around the awards show and parties in a fleet of over 75 vehicles. That fleet will include: GMC Yukons (in both hybrid and E85-capable flavors) and the hydrogen fuel cell Chevy Equinox. GM said that, "this year's Oscars will be the first major awards show where a fleet of fuel cell vehicles will provide transportation for celebrities." Watch the background of all those red carpet shows on Sunday, February 24 to see if the vehicles get a bit of screen time.

Click the ecoVoyager to see the whole vehicle in high-res

For nearly two decades some of the most anticipated new concept vehicles at the Detroit Auto Show every January are those from Chrysler. Past concepts have included the likes of the original Dodge Viper, the Chrysler Crossfire, the Dodge Super-Eight, the Chrysler Chronos, and the Dodge Tomahawk. Some, like the latter two, are pure flights of fancy while others evolve into production models. This year's lineup goes entirely for alternative drive-trains and the production possibilities are unknown at this point. The Chrysler brand entry this year has a new look on a power-train configuration we've seen before.

The ecoVoyager features a sleek, one-box (although this thing is hardly boxy) forward leaning body that encloses seating for four. Under the passenger compartment resides a propulsion system reminiscent of last year's Ford Airstream. Drive torque gets sent to the front wheels from a 268hp electric motor. Electrons are fed to the motor from a 16kWh lithium ion battery providing a 40-mile range. The range is extended out to a more palatable 300 miles with the help of a 45kW fuel cell. Hydrogen is stored in a pair of 10,000psi tanks at the back of the chassis. Like the Chevy Sequel and Ford Airstream, the whole package is contained down low under the floor for a low center of gravity. The weight of the ecoVoyager comes in at relatively moderate 2,750lbs.

[Source: Chrysler]

The Japanese are taking fuel cells very seriously and here's a figure that confirms this: two out of three fuel cell patent applications from 1998 to 2004 were made by Japanese companies (total patents were 32,209). Compared to the US and Europe, Japan filed 2.5 times more patents than the US and 2.9 times more than Europeans.

More than 15 percent of the filings were made by three Japanese auto manufacturers, Nissan, Toyota and Honda, which filed 1,980, 1,546 and 1,526 applications, respectively.

Regarding the type of technology, most of the applications featured proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (81-83 percent), then solid-oxide fuel cells (10-12 percent) and direct methanol fuel cells (5-7 percent). The three territories in which the study was made showed similar percentages.

Japan is really believing in the hydrogen-based society and is really betting on having fuel cell vehicles in widespread use by 2030. But it's more than cars that are potential users of fuel cell technology; fuel cells can be used for household co-generation systems and portable electronics or for projects that are more fun.

Related:

• Hyundai's i-Blue fuel cells on track for 2012 use in crossover SUV
• European Commission calls for 470 million euro investment into hydrogen cars
• Honda adds to the odd with Tokyo Motor Show Puyo and CR-Z concepts

[Source: Japan for Sustainability]