Schwarzenegger unveils hydrogen Hummer, but not how he planned

[Kadie]

Schwarzenegger unveils hydrogen Hummer, but not how he planned

By TIM MOLLOY, Associated Press Writer


Last Updated: October 22, 2004, 05:50:20 PM PDT


LOS ANGELES (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced an environmentally friendly Hummer on Friday - but not exactly the hydrogen-powered car he promised voters he would build when he campaigned for office.

Criticized by environmentalists for owning a gas-guzzler, Schwarzenegger said during last year's recall campaign that he would convert one of his Hummers to run on hydrogen. Though he hasn't done that, the governor did introduce an alternative at an event that mixed environmentalism and stagecraft: a hydrogen-powered Hummer custom-built by General Motors at his request.

The governor drove the shiny blue SUV to a hydrogen fueling spot at Los Angeles International Airport to tout his $100 million plan for a "hydrogen highway" of such stations. But the event betrayed the current limitations of hydrogen power even as it celebrated the technology's progress.

Though Schwarzenegger arrived in the low-pollution vehicle, he left in a gasoline-powered SUV that typically gets about 15 miles per gallon. It was a pragmatic decision, given that the hydrogen Hummer needs to refuel every 50 miles and there are only about a dozen fueling stations across the state.

more...
http://www.modbee.com/state_wire/story/9318953p-10225913c.html

:eyes:

[not fooled]

1. perfect GOP stunt

all image, no substance!

[rucky]

19. and no exit strategy n/t

[Kadie]

26. Yep.

Welcome to DU not fooled. :hi:

[pinkpops]

2. I know how he can get the hydrogen - but it

will involve stuffing a tube up his butt and eating lots of beans.

[salvorhardin]

3. That's methane

and an assortment of other chemicals. Sorry. Nitpick. Couldn't help it.

[pinkpops]

6. Mostly, yes

but I stink there's alittle H too.

[pinkpops]

7. Here, I did an extensive study

http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/fart.asp

[evworldeditor]

14. Do the Math

I once did a 'back-of-the-envelop' calculation on running a Hummer on hydrogen. Here's how it works out.

Figure the Hummer get's 10 miles per liter (a liter of hydrogen is roughly equivalent to a gallon of gasoline). A 5,000 psi carbon fiber tank will hold approximately 3 liters and figure you can get maybe four tanks in and under the Hummer, giving you 12 liters or about 120 miles range maximum. The cost of hydrogen from natural gas is estimated to run $4-5 per liter, which doesn't make the Hummer "non-polluting" or reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. So, let's go with hydrogen from solar and/or wind, if you can find it. (There are only a handful of wind-to-hydrogen projects that I know of; one's in Canada and the other in Scandanavia). The current estimate on H2 from renewable sources is $8-10/liter. So a fill-up will cost you between $96-120US.

These numbers are being rather generous. A Hummer actually gets closer to 8 mpg than 12. You probably can get three tanks in the Hummer, two in the cabin area and one underneath, so you'll lose cargo/luggage space.

If the Governor wants run up to Reno for a weekend, the trip will require several fill-ups and well over $200 in hydrogen, and Reno is only 134 miles from Sacramento.

[pinkpops]

15. How much water vapor would be released?

[AntiFascist]

4. We have giant pools of hydrogen and oxygen....

combined in a solution of electrical conducting liquid and endless source of generator turbine energy, right off the coast of Calfornia. I hope future presidents can see the potential!

[pinkpops]

9. all we need is a prez with vision

[Downtown Hound]

5. So to do his publicity stunt

Ah-nold burned up a bunch of gas in his personal Hummer and shot a bunch of emissions into the air. That man is a true environmentalist if I ever saw one.

[w4rma]

8. That PR stunt appears to be the first & last time he'll ever drive it (nt)

[private_ryan]

10. how is hydrogen produced?

dont we use fosil fuels to do that?

[pinkpops]

11. The energy has to come from somewhere -

Hydrogen is a storage medium, not a fuel.

[AntiFascist]

12. Assuming global warming doesn't slow down ocean currents too much....

that could be an incredible source of energy.

[pinkpops]

13. Unfortunately I think the powers-that-be are thinking NooKulur

[AntiFascist]

16. It would require lots of power plants and more waste....

to store in Nevada. Where would the environmentalists want the power plants placed? Plus, in the era of terrorism, wouldn't that mean more targets that have to be secured, plus trucks carrying the waste become possible targets.

[pinkpops]

17. Yup

[Gregorian]

21. Hydrogen now, is a huge mistake. These people are clowns

How is hydrogen made. There's the question.
It's made with petroleum. And to make it, it far more energy intensive than burning petroleum itself. This is a scam to use more gas. Period.

The real answer would be to improve the photovoltaic cell.

Go here and look around. I don't have time right now for anything else.

http://www.efcf.com/

[VegasWolf]

18. An "environmently friendly hummer"?? Like "compasionate conservative"?

New Information Shows Bush Indecisive, Paranoid, Delusional

[Divine Discontent]

24. you all just KILL me

very funny stuff, thanks! my brother's been inpatient for 2 wks., so it's great to see some intellectual humor at Ah-Nuld Bush Jr's expense! Hey, wonder if he's related to Bandar Bush?


God bless..

(the post about burning up fuel to do his stunt was my fave)

[Porcupine]

20. Um, HALF of the fuel used by a Hummer......

was used to MAKE IT!!! This is a massive Hummer constructed and engineered for a one time publicity stunt. You couldn't possibly drive the thing around even for shows on it's own power.

Global warming created to give the false impression that they're combatting global warming. A perfect GOP operation.

[Eye and Monkey]

23. the view from this hummer (photo)

"couldn't possibly drive the thing around even for shows on it's own power" - it other words, it'll need a tow -

[Neshanic]

22. Arnie could stop at Taco Bell and use himself as a source...

Hell, they are 3 miles apart.

"Three combo Burros and three Tacos with extra sour cream Mr.Guv, that should get you to Oxnard".

[punpirate]

25. Ahnold understands science...

... almost as well as does Dubya.... :P