Hydrogen: Perfecting the hybrid vehicle?

Ford's HySeries Hydrogen Plug-in hybrid drive

Could a new way of creating hydrogen turn hybrid cars into THE automotive technology of the future?

Researchers at the University of Purdue have developed a simple, on-demand form of hydrogen creation that could solve many problems related to the hydrogen economy - particularly storage and transportation (more).

Already there are hydrogen hybrids. Why? Because hydrogen is about as efficient as gasoline. Hybrid technology can make hydrogen 20-30 percent more efficient as a fuel with today's technology. Lithium-powered hybrid technology could double this efficiency, meaning the need for huge amounts of hydrogen would not be needed - making the hydrogen highway far less complicated.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles could further reduce the need for large amounts of hydrogen. Add in a small fuel cell, and even less hydrogen is needed. You get the picture.

Hydrogen and hybrids, a perfect marriage?