As dependence on foreign oil slowly erodes American independence and confidence as a world leader, scientists are proposing an interim solution: hydrogen-based internal combustion engines (Hydrogen ICEs). There are still major challenges, but the benefits are propelling development at both pumping stations and car manufacturing plants around the world.

BMW's Hydrogen 7 (Source: EcoChauffeur.co.uk)

Challenges and Benefits of Hydrogen Combustion Engines

Hydrogen (H2) vehicles are growing in number each year. According to Hydrogencarsnow.com, there are 44 automobile prototypes already developed that run on hydrogen power, and a number of hydrogen-powered vehicles that facilitate non-roadway driving. A google.com search on hydrogen vehicles immediately yields advertising pointing to BMW’s Hydrogen 7, and a company-produced promotional video on BMW’s H2R claims international prowess for setting nine international speed records.

Promising to alleviate international and domestic gas-rage, Hydrogen ICEs may be an interim answer to a larger problem of oil addiction. The U.S. State of California is pushing for over 200 hydrogen fueling stations. On CA.gov,, Schwarzenegger’s “Vision 2010” calls for a “hydrogen highway to take [Californians] into the environmental future.” Differing from a tree-hugger approach to environmental policy as seen in past decades through Gaylord Nelson’s invocation of “Earth Day” on April 22nd and carbon-emission reduction tips from Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth, Schwarzenegger opts to satisfy business, government, consumer, and planet by creating an emission-free highway based on H2 principles.

To outfit current gasoline stations with hydrogen fuel pumps comes as one of the major hurdles to the HCE vehicle. The California Fuel Cell Partnership, featuring 24 stations on-line today, provides a bleak outlook for only 10 future stations currently planned. Other challenges, according to Nanowerk.com, center on the actual production of hydrogen fuel, 90% of which will come from fossil fuels as noted by DOE's Hydrogen Energy Roadmap. Silicon nanotubes, as featured on ScienceDaily.com, may provide the storage capacity needed to speed hydrogen fuel development, but researchers persist to seek more innovation in H2 tank options. GM’s Larry Burns says that H2 fuel cell technology is ready, but must have the support of government and energy companies for the mass supply of hydrogen needed.

Benefits of the HCE and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

Honda’s FCX Clarity claims to be “The Zero Emission Sedan of the Future.” The Chevrolet Equinox’s fuel cell SUV website states “The best emissions strategy is a zero-emissions strategy.” Even BMW’s Hydrogen 7 Combustion Engine sedan, according to Wired.com, can burn both hydrogen and gasoline, with a byproduct of practically nothing but water vapor. The consensus on H2 vehicles, fuel cell or ICE, is unanimous: LESS CO2 emissions into the air.

Another bright side to the obstacles facing H2 vehicle development is the resulting decrease in foreign oil dependency. President Bush’s $1.2BIL “Hydrogen Fuel Initiative,” aimed in 2003 to tackle car, truck, home, and business energy needs. In 2007, $274MIL was set aside for “activities” supporting the initiative. Even though fueling stations have yet to become mainstream, the U.S. DOE states that “America currently imports 55 percent of the oil it consumes; that is expected to grow to 68 percent by 2025.” CBN News deems U.S. oil addiction as an easy way for foreign countries to hold our economy “hostage.” Using modern and safe nuclear energy plants, hydrogen could be bountifully created via water electrolysis, notes USA Today. Until its potential is realized, hydrogen provides a hope that America may once again win its independence and sovereignty not through war against imperial rule, but a domestic battle against fossil fuel addiction.