This new wave of hydrogen fuel cell cars is not due to new technology, but instead a demand from the public in response to rising gas prices. In fact, fuel cells have been around since the early 1800’s. Even so the first car to put fuel cell technology to use was the 1966 GM Electrovan.  This van’s fuel cell had a range of over 120 miles which is not to bad compared to the modern Honda Clarity which has a range of 24o miles. This van was built and tested in 1966 but ultimately ended up failing due to cost and a lack of space.  The piping and equipment needed to power the fuel cell turned the 6 seat GMC Handivan into a 2 seat hyrdogen Electrovan. High costs came as a result of a lack of information, technology, and interest at the time. There was such a lack of information on hydrogen fuel cell cars that even the Smithsonian Institute did not allow it inside their facilities for the sole reason that they had never heard of a fuel cell before and did not understand it’s dynamics. Obviously the information  and technology available today makes the hydrogen fuel cell cars more affordable and safe, but the main reason they may now succeed is that there is a greater worldwide interest due to the global energy demand and rising fuel prices.

Although the variety of alternative fuels, hybrids and electric vehicles being pursued may project a serious commitment by the automakers to explore a new path, the long term viability of all of these different solutions and approaches is probably not sustainable indefinitely. Just as the internal combustion gasoline engine emerged out of a number of early contenders to dominate the automobiles life up to this point, one or two of these technologies will most likely be successful enough that ultimately it is adopted more than any of the others.

This, in part, explains why Mazda has remained on the periphery of the hybrid/electric discussion. Mazda’s approach has instead turned towards replacing gasoline with hydrogen.

The Nikkei, as well as Kyodo News, is reporting that Honda will be introducing an electric vehicle in the next few years. They have worked extensively on fuel cell technology, but it has proven to be too expensive to create a niche.

[GreenCarCongress via Jalopnik]

Word out of Detroit is that GM is looking to spread Volt-developed technology to other vehicles in their lineup. A smart move in light of the fact that they have dropped significant funds into the plug-in hybrid system. So what vehicle will benefit from this decision? A sporty two-door coupe or convertible? Perhaps one of their numerous thirsty trucks or SUVs. Nope. Their newest minvan.

2009 Silverado Hybrid

A casual look around at the hybrid offerings of the major automakers will find an assortment of small or smaller vehicles, usually not exceeding the size of a Camry or Accord. And while GM has the underrated Malibu Hybrid to throw to the wolves that are Honda and Toyota, their other hybrids are large. As in, about as large as they come. In fact, of the eight hybrids in the GM family; besides the Malibu and the soon to be gone Saturn Aura and VUE, the remaining five are SUV/trucks. What’s going on here? Surely there is some sort of method to all of this hybrid madness. Well it turns out that GM is clinging to its SUV roots by attempting to boost up fuel economy in its largest vehicles, like the Silverado truck. Does it work? Or has the added “green” diluted the Silverado’s Bob Seger-loving ways. “Turn the page” to find out.

Opel Ampera

Unless you’ve been living in a cave on the Moon with your eyes shut and hands over your ears, you know that electric vehicles are the future. Not a week goes by where there isn’t some announcement about the car that will break the ties of petroleum oppression. For you, dear readers, I have assembled a list of some of the more notable entrants into the EV market with the pros and cons of each. From econoboxes to SUVs, grocery getters to exotics. Enjoy.

Intending to gauge the real-world sustainability of hydrogen-fueled vehicles, GM launched Project Driveway in 2008, equipping select consumers in the greater New York City, Washington D.C., and L.A. areas with a hydrogen powered Chevrolet Equinox for two month increments.

To accommodate the alternatively-fueled vehicles, GM partner Shell Oil, opened its first hydrogen powered fueling station in White Plains, New York in tandem with Project Driveway’s launch. Today, GM and Shell announced the grand opening of a second hydrogen fueling station at JFK International Airport, to be followed be a third opening in the Bronx later this summer.

“These partnerships are critical to building the infrastructure that will make hydrogen a relevant alternative fuel in the future as well as a key to the ongoing success of Project Driveway,” said Larry Burns, GM vice president of R&D and Strategic Planning. Added Duncan Macleod, Shell vice president of Hydrogen, “The prospects for hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are strong in the longer-term. This first cluster is an important step as we continue to build capability in retailing hydrogen fuel, in line with the auto makers’ plans to develop hydrogen vehicles.”

I’ll go ahead and answer the question in your head. The Dodge Caliber, with a final score of 49 out of 100, is the only vehicle tested by Consumer Reports that scored lower than the Honda Insight (54 points). David Champion, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center calls it “the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time”. CR testers berated everything from its visibility to interior noise and handling. The as-tested 38 mpg fell within manufacturer’s claims and softened the blow a bit, but I have to wonder how a car with so many faults still garners a “Good” overall rating from Consumer Reports. First place was given a “Very Good”. Photos, full press release and my proposed ratings system after the jump.

I’m not even going to try and stifle my fanboyism here. I am totally stoked about the Chevy Volt. As of now, GM has ditched the “Volt in Cruze clothing” mules for full-on preproduction prototypes. Up to 80 cars will be produced between now and October while engineers work out the bugs. So far, I’m loving it in black.

GM HydroGen3 fuel cell vehicle.

The Department of Energy has deeply cut funding for hydrogen fuel cell development for vehicle applications. Several automakers, including Honda and GM, have been touting fuel cells as the premier clean power source of the future, but the DOE is unconvinced.