MP backs new hydrogen-powered car to be tested in Leicester
Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne has praised a green car which is going to be tested on the streets of Leicester.
Thirty hydrogen-powered cars, which have a top speed of 50mph and can go 200 miles on one tank, will be leased to motorists in Leicester for £200 to £250 a month.
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Hugo Spowers founder of Riversimple at the car's launch
Sustainable firm Riversimple has signed a deal with Leicester City Council to test the cars.
Mr Huhne yesterday hailed the company's innovative design.
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He said: "We need to harness cutting-edge technology to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to tackle climate change.
"Nowhere is this more important than with passenger cars, which are responsible for almost 60 per cent of domestic transport emissions.
"A radical transformation of our transport network is needed in the next 40 years."
The Riversimple car uses a 6kw hydrogen fuel cell to create the electricity needed to power a motor attached to each wheel.
The vehicle emits nothing but a trickle of water from its exhaust.
However, the process of creating the hydrogen cell itself produces carbon dioxide.
If the cell is produced by burning natural gas, it creates the equivalent of 31g of CO2 for every kilometre.
If the gas is produced from a renewable source, that figure drops to 3g CO2/km. Its nearest petrol and diesel rivals emit 104g CO2/km and 103g CO2/km.
Environmental campaigners have backed the trial.
Malcolm Hunter, from the Leicester branch of Friends of the Earth, said: "Hydrogen is one of a number of technologies worth exploring and if it works it will make a big impact on reducing CO2 emissions."
The search is now on to find people to road test the green machines.
Health studies student Karen McKelvie, 45, of Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, said: "We need to look at greener ideas everywhere we can.
"There are far too many cars on our roads pumping out rubbish into the air, so if we can cut that back that is great."
Restaurant manager Bill Singh, 31, from Evington, said: "We definitely need to see if these cars will work and this deal shows that Leicester is forward-thinking.
"I've got a family so the car wouldn't work for me but if it was just me I'd give it a go."
Lawyer Beverley Heys, 45, from Arnesby, said: "I do not think I'd spend the money it costs to rent one for a month on my own car.
"The price would need to come down before I would drive it."
Comments
by Jim, Leicester
Monday, June 14 2010, 7:40PM
“This technology is old why have we not used it before they had cars in the USA running on hydrogen over 40 years ago”
by Local, Leicester
Saturday, June 12 2010, 5:17PM
“Google it - H2 is NOT produced from renewable sources - if it were then maybe they would be better - but hydgrogen production is VERY inneficient.
If electricity from nuclear energy were used to charge batteries, it would be a lot greener.”
by John, LeicesterTalk.net
Saturday, June 12 2010, 4:42PM
“It says in the article
"If the gas is produced from a renewable source, that figure drops to 3g CO2/km. Its nearest petrol and diesel rivals emit 104g CO2/km and 103g CO2/km."
So *presumably* the figures are taking into the production of gas in the equation.”
by Local, Leicester
Saturday, June 12 2010, 3:40PM
“Yes John - I know end product is water BUT it takes a HUGE amount of energy from fossil fuels to extract and purify hydrogen in the first place - so overall may be no more green than efficiecient petrol car”
by John, LeicesterTalk.net
Friday, June 11 2010, 5:43PM
“@local the only by product of a hydrogen fuel cell car through the engine is water.
The process combines Hydrogen with Oxygen and makes... H2O
@Jon they don't Honda nailed this tech some time ago and theres even an American production version already on the market...
See below for the video of it..
http://leicestertalk.net/leicester-news/29000-green-car-launched.html”
by Jon, leics
Friday, June 11 2010, 1:50PM
“Why are so called green cars always so ugly - this one looks like a smart car that an elephant has sat on the front!”
by lance2, leicester
Friday, June 11 2010, 1:14PM
“Totaly agree local, why do people think just because the end product is green? its the bees knees. what power made the smallist nut and bolt (electricity!,gas,coal,nuclear) what powererd the transport (petrol,diesel).What is the carbon debt costs of this car! that needs to be recoverd before it goes into green! credit,even the charging power is electricity.”
by Local, Leicester
Friday, June 11 2010, 10:53AM
“Are these cars REALLY that green ? I have read elsewhere that
"Hydrogen is most economically derived from oil and natural gas. The refining process uses up huge amounts of power and is not particularly efficient. If the fuel is burned in the vehicle there will be polluting by products and an internal combustion engine is typically no more than 15% efficient at the wheels. Having to produce extra fuel to cover all that inefficiency means even more pollution at the refinery.
If by "green" you are considering all that goes into making the vehicle in the first place they you are going to be in a difficult position with any product of a modern industrial society.”