Green Report: Ford of Europe Focuses on Hydrogen Powered C-Max H2 ICE

As good as the new HEVs are, some industry analysts consider the technology to be nothing less than a stopgap bridging the

Many industry analysts consider hybrid vehicles just a stepping stone to the ultimate goal of hydrogen power. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

implementation of another, even cleaner fuel solution. The goal is zero emissions, and electric has proven too inconvenient to become widely accepted. Enter the H factor, more commonly known as hydrogen.

The idea of a vehicle being powered by hydrogen, the first element on the periodic table and a major component of most molecular compounds on this earth including the H2O we drink, sounds a bit like science fiction. Still, engineers from most automobile manufacturers have found various ways to harness the power within and put it to work powering cars. Some of the first modern examples that come to mind are Mazda's HRX-1 and HRX-2, both dowdy looking futuristic concept cars that go way back to 1996.

Of course, despite Ballard's recent slide in share value, it is still an important contributor to fuel cell research, development and manufacture. DaimlerChrysler's NeCar fuel cell vehicle (FCV), which is based off

BMW is also getting in on the hydrogen game, having developed fleets of hydrogen-powered 7-Series and MINIs. (Photo: Mini Canada)

the European-market Mercedes-Benz A-Class, uses the Canadian company's technology.

Even the "Ultimate Drive Machine" company, BMW is playing the hydrogen game, having developed fleets of hydrogen-powered 7-Series and MINIs to demonstrate the efficiencies of its unique hydrogen powered ICE in large- and small -sizes vehicles.

Others, such as General Motors, are using hydrogen powered vehicles to prove a point. Opel, GM's European division took a fuel cell powered Zafira minivan on a 10,000 kilometer journey across Europe to demonstrate reliability and longevity.