World's First Zero-Emissions Hummer Debuts in California

In recent months, General Motors (Hummer especially), as well as many other automotive manufactures including DaimlerChrysler

As opposed to conventional fuel cell vehicles, the H2H burns its hydrogen much like a regular car burns gasoline or diesel. (Photo: General Motors)

and Ford, have come under fire for producing environmentally unfriendly vehicles, gas guzzlers that emit excessive amounts of pollutants and emissions. It comes as no surprise that GM, in a bid to turn the negative image of its Hummer brand around has developed a one of a kind hydrogen drivetrain for one of the EPA's worst offenders. The H2H is off of Hummer's new H2 SUT, painted in Laser Blue - a color never before seen on Hummer vehicles - and features a unique composite, sloping tonneau cover.

Despite having several different hydrogen-burning motors and fuel systems in its arsenal, General Motors took the opportunity to develop a new, more practical hydrogen drivetrain for the H2H. As opposed to conventional fuel cell vehicles, like the Ballard-powered Mercedes A-Class that runs off of a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to provide power, the H2H burns its hydrogen much like a regular car burns gasoline or diesel. Much like the Ford H2 ICE (internal combustion engine)

The GM-designed 'Vortec 6000' 6.0-liter V8 produces a meager 180 horsepower when run on hydrogen, but produces zero emissions. (Photo: General Motors)

or BMW Clean-Fuel hydrogen-powered concepts, this Hummer features hydrogen injected directly into its engine's cylinder combustion chambers.

Unlike traditional fuel-cell technology, injecting liquid hydrogen into an internal combustion environment produces less than optimal power. Even with the assistance of a supercharger, the GM-designed 'Vortec 6000' 6.0-liter V8 produces a meager 180 horsepower when run on hydrogen, only a fraction of the 316 horsepower produced by the SUV's regular gasoline-swilling powerplant. In any respect, the hydrogen-powered H2H has a hands-down advantage over the regular H2, with the only tailpipe emissions emitted being water vapor.