Army signs up for hydrogen hybrid

Project aims to get around cost bottleneck of fuel cells

	This hydrogen refueling station on wheels will be used by the U.S. Army as part of its testing of a hydrogen-powered hybrid SUV.
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updated 4:16 p.m. ET March 31, 2006

The U.S. Army's vehicle research center is partnering with a private company to fuse technologies, converting a Ford Escape Hybrid to run on hydrogen instead of gasoline.

The idea is to start using hydrogen with internal combustion engines because the alternative, fuel cells, is still cost prohibitive.

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“Part of the 21st Century Base Initiative, this technology has the potential to offer a cost-effective alternative to full fuel cell powered vehicles,” the Army's National Automotive Center said in a statement.

The center is working with industry partner Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies, which will do the conversion and supply a mobile refueling station.

"Currently one of the biggest vehicle technology focuses for the Army is alternative energy, both hybrid and fuel cell," center director Paul Skalny said. "We are continually exploring the uses of commercial fuel cell and hybrid platforms for both tactical and combat vehicles."