by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, is to help create Britain's first "hydrogen highway", using a scheme to promote zero-emission cars along the lines of the one that has been introduced in California by State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Mayor of London wants to make Britain a leader in fuel cell technology and is planning a network of hydrogen filling stations in the capital. He intends to assemble a pilot fleet of about 150 hydrogen cars in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics, together with five buses and 20 black taxis.
It is but such a shame though that London, including the Mayor, did not think to introduce some proper schemes for walking and cycling to and fro the Olympic venues and between them and to create proper cycle highways in London. Everything is and remains geared to the car, whether or not it is fuel cell technology.
Boris Johnson's officials believe that by 2029 as many as one in three of the 31m cars in Britain could be fueled by hydrogen. Britain has agreed to cut its CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050.
However, there are many who think that – one – this is not going to happen and – two – that we are too slow in adopting alternative ways of transportation, and proper human-powered transportation and the “highways” for this need to be created and they need to be created now and not next year or the year after.
The London Mayor said that the hydrogen network would be developed alongside government plans to introduce electric cars.
"Harnessing low-carbon technology is key to solving the pressing issues of energy security, cutting climate change emissions and improving air quality," said Johnson. "With electric vehicles gearing up to become a mainstream choice in a few years' time, we are creating the right conditions for them to flourish."
In April, Gordon Brown announced plans to subsidize electric-car use. Johnson followed up by unveiling a scheme for 25,000 "juice points" – charging stops for electric cars across London.
"We think it's going to be pretty big," said Kit Malthouse, deputy London Mayor and chairman of the London Hydrogen Board, the group overseeing the project, who added: "We plan an initial network of six or so hydrogen fueling stations around the capital. We would then be able to fuel the next generation of vehicles."
That Ms. Malthouse might be biased and such one could not possibly suggest, could one. She is working on agenda for the fuel cell people, that mush is sure for her fingers are certainly in the lobby's pie.
A new lightweight hydrogen-powered car, capable of speeds up to 50mph, was shown off in London in June. Able to travel 240 miles without refueling, and weighing just 772lb (350kg), the two-seater Riversimple Urban Car could be put into production as soon as 2013. Supported by the great-grandson of car pioneer Ferdinand Porsche, the Riversimple car does the petrol equivalent of 300 miles to the gallon.
Can the Mayor of London and Britain succeed where Schwarzenegger has, so far, failed? California's Governor's "hydrogen highway" certainly so far has not moved forward at the speed that he predicted and with oil prices low again, at least at the barrel price, the impetus behind hydrogen-powered cars has dissipated. California has only 250 of the vehicles, while he had envisaged 2,000 by 2010, and there are just 26 fueling stations.
The low costs of gasoline has not been communicated down the line though for the British motorists, that much is sure. So, as per usual, the difference goes into the coffers of the companies (and the state).
In all honesty we are seeing a lot of greenwash here for it does not appear that anyone is really serious to see the demise of the motorcar with the internal combustion engine or similar for only that way can there be fuel taxes be levied and the state make money.
That does not work well with electric cars and with cycling now, does it.
© 2009
<>
