As a side note, I love silver. I hate to admit it, but I like the idea of my silver and platinum jewelry matching the car I drive. Maybe that's why over thirty percent of new cars sold are finished in the glimmering shade.
 |
| Although years from production, GM realizes the importance of hydrogen as the fuel source for the future. (Photo: General Motors) |
This particular silver car is still a few years from making it to the neighborhood GM dealer, but it adds fire to the debate over cleaner fuel choices. This debate ranges from on-board reformation of a fuel, such as methanol, into hydrogen, to the use of hydrogen tanks. However, given the difficulties in the current infrastructure situation, meaning a lack thereof, GM realizes that establishing hydrogen as the fuel of the future is a key element to the viability of such visionary vehicles.
 |
| Made from water and electricity, the hydrogen that powers the Hy-Wire is similar in explosiveness to gasoline but dissipates more quickly into the atmosphere if leaked. (Photo: General Motors) |
Chris Borroni-Bird, GM Hy-wire project director, points out that the beauty of hydrogen is that it can be made from electricity and water, and the only emission generated is water vapor.
Borroni-Bird continued, "Although hydrogen is explosive, it is safer than gasoline or diesel fuel for the simple reason that if the tank should leak hydrogen, it's going to want to go very rapidly into the atmosphere. It's so much lighter than air."