Chemistry exam — hydrogen cars put to test

BMW has placed some of its Hydrogen 7 Series sedans in the hands of Hollywood celebrities and others for tests.

The Hydrogen 7 has an internal combustion engine that can run on gasoline or liquid hydrogen, an advantage because of the lack of hydrogen fueling stations. It can travel about 130 miles on hydrogen and shift to a gasoline-powered engine, with a range of 300 miles.

"It's allowed people to live with these vehicles in a way that they don't have to feel restricted in the distances they can travel or where they can go," said BMW spokesman Dave Buchko.

Automakers say the tests show the cars can perform like a conventional vehicle, bolstering their argument that a network of fueling stations are needed. There are 60 operational hydrogen fueling stations in the United States, according to the National Hydrogen Association, and nearly half are located in California.

A panel with the National Academies of Science recently concluded the U.S. would need to invest $200 billion, including $55 billion in government funding, between 2008 and 2023 to make the vehicles viable.

The report estimated that the maximum number of hydrogen vehicles on the roads by 2020 would be 2 million, a tiny fraction of the nation's fleet.

Albert said after more than 2,300 miles and two months in the Equinox, he sees the potential. He used the vehicle like any other and said the only limitations were the lack of fueling stations and the vehicle's 200-mile range.

He offered plenty of suggestions to GM's team, even feedback from his cranky baby. Albert's first child, Tyler, was born Feb. 4, and the family jokingly called him the "first hydrogen baby."

"As I was putting him in the car, I was wondering, 'Is it the engine noise that quiets the baby or the road noise?' We had no idea," Albert said. After a short drive, Tyler's cries subsided, offering some insight for future dads.

"We found out it's probably the road noise and the motion," Albert said with a smile. "It didn't have much to do with the engine noise since there's no internal combustion engine."

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