Over the past several years, a number of E&EM students and graduates have supported the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Program through their employment and internships in the Washington, D.C. area. These have included Elvin Yuzugullu, Laura Verduzco, Kristin Deason, Eva Urbatsch, Kristy McDonnell and Sarah Truitt.
On August 14, 2008, some of them had the opportunity to participate in a “Hydrogen Road Tour” sponsored by DOE. The Hydrogen Road Tour provided an opportunity for the public to see what the future holds for hydrogen in the United States. The Road Tour was a historic two-week, cross-country trek of a fleet of clean, efficient hydrogen vehicles.
Nine auto manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Energy, California Fuel Cell Partnership, National Hydrogen Association, and U.S. DOT sponsored the Hydrogen Road Tour to show that hydrogen vehicle and fueling technologies are approaching commercial availability, even as new research and development breakthroughs continue.
Six transit agencies across the country currently operate hydrogen-powered buses, several auto dealers in southern California are leasing hydrogen vehicles, and hundreds of individuals are driving hydrogen-powered vehicles in demonstration programs across the United States. Hydrogen fuel produces virtually no greenhouse gas emissions, leaving behind only water as a byproduct.
The tour made 31 stops in 18 states, stretching from Maine to California. Hydrogen vehicles from BMW, Daimler, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen made the journey, and were joined by hydrogen transit buses along the route. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and the Linde Corporation provided mobile refueling stations and hydrogen fuel.
