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However, a researcher at the University of Missouri-Columbia discovered that the development of a plug-in fuel cell hybrid, with as little as 20 miles of range from rechargeable hydrogen, could cut the amount of gasoline consumed in the United States by more than 50 percent. In addition, this technology could be mass produced in the next five years.

“About 47 percent of all miles put on vehicles in a day are within the first 20 miles of travel,” said Galen Suppes, associate professor of chemical engineering at MU. “Furthermore, about 50 percent of the vehicles travel 20 miles or less per day, and this 20 mile distance is usually in inner-city travel where fuel economy for conventional internal combustion engines is poor and emissions have their greatest adverse affects.”

The plug-in hybrid is a modified version of the hybrid vehicle, which uses electric motors and battery packs to improve fuel efficiency. The plug-in contains a secondary power source, larger than the standard hybrid, which can be recharged using electricity while parked at home. Suppes says that by replacing vehicular fuel consumption with electricity, there will be a drop in fuel emissions and less demand for gasoline. If the vehicles were charged at night, according to Suppes, they would not add to the burden on the nation’s electrical power grid.

The fuel cell hybrid provides an additional degree of freedom with the plug-in option, Suppes found. The electricity could be used to recharge batteries or to hydrolyze water to hydrogen for use with the fuel cell. In the hydrogen storage option, fuel cells are used to generate hydrogen and oxygen which are stored in compressed tanks. This configuration, Suppes says, can reduce the amount of secondary source battery storage since pure hydrogen can power the fuel cells.

“At less than $1,000 in incremental costs to today’s standard hybrid vehicle, this is a good option today and a great option for tomorrow’s fuel cell hybrid vehicles,” Suppes said. “The plug-in fuel cell hybrid is a great transition technology toward a hydrogen infrastructure.”

Suppes’ research on the plug-in fuel cell hybrid was recently published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. He and his colleague, Truman Storvick, professor emeritus of chemical engineering at MU, recently developed an online book, “Energy Disclosed: Abundant Resources and Unused Technology,” which can be viewed at http://www.missouri.edu/~suppesg/book.htm.

Adapted from materials provided by University Of Missouri-Columbia.

When the hell do I get to use the power of a BMW, never.  The traffic around Boston is ridicuculous.  I loved the comfort of the BMW, the ride, the spacious beautiful cabin, the legroom, but the $75 fillup not so much.  Many would think, if you have a BMW 750LI why are you worried about gas prices.  Well, as I said talk is cheap.  I need to walk the walk.  Beyond gas savings the emission savings are substantial. The reduction in toxic gases being emitted from my metal commuter sled have been reduced.  I feel warm and fuzzy all over…

The Camry Hybrid performs well.  A good solid car.  I did not have to learn a new way to drive with the hybrid.  I did not worry about the fact that it is quiet or shuts down at stop lights, I took it as just a new better way to drive.  It is just another car.

I did get a short term lease (24 mths), mostly because I think in two years I can have my cake and eat it to.  Meaning there will be a nice comfortable, powerful car that gets 75MPG.  I have no doubt  that will be on the market in two years.  I have been watching the development of the new hydrogen series from BMW http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4215177.html very cool.  Awesome car, awesome technology.

Annual carbon emissions reduction based on 20k miles per year = 23k carbon pounds for BMW (1,176 gallons of fuel), 11.8k carbon pounds for Camry (600 gallons of fuel), so a 50% reduction in carbon emissions and fuel usage.  Not bad.

This is the future.  The technology is there, people will buy them and we can then tell many puffed up dictators and countries around the world to stick it.  Can I send the email please !  Dear Mr Putin, Dear Mr Chavez, Dear Mr Iranian bunch of Clerics…

What we are trying to fight is the constant naysaying and defeatism in the language used by our clueless leaders.  A common avoidance mechanism is saying things like  ”that is 20 years away from being viable”, “it works but it just costs too much right now”, ” the American people would never accept that, they are used to power and large cars”.  Well excuse me if I can think on my own.  I have faith that the American people when confronted with non-biased information, viable choices and a free marketplace will make the right decision.  They have proven this time and time again.

The question is should the behemoth government, mandate us to act accordingly to save energy or should they take some of our money (yes taxes are our money) and provide a jumpstart to companies and individuals toward a common goal.  Should the government work with the electrical companies, to monitor your household electrical usage and potentially lower thermostats in homes remotely, as in California, or should they provide an X-Prize foundation type incentive for innovation.  Let me guess….

Five billion dollar prizes, yes five billion.  You know what use to be a lot of money, five billion.  Spent each  12 days in Iraq.  Five billion dollars to a company that produces a mass market auto with 100MPG.  A committee to determine the exact specifications and requirements wouldn’t be hard to find.  The X-Prize foundation could easily accomodate it now.

I know the technology is there let’s use our money to promote the innovation and let the american entrepreneurial spirit shine.