Mazda's Hydrogen RX-8 Heads To Norway
Amid all the latest talk about the development of hybrid and electric vehicles, discussion about hydrogen-powered cars has been pushed into the background. This is both understandable and a shame. Yes, hydrogen cars are probably at least 40 years away from being cost-effective in the market place, so the lack of attention is understandable. However, hydrogen is the most abundant substance in the entire universe, so if we can make it into a viable fuel, we’ll never run out. And, the only emission from hydrogen vehicles is water vapor. Norway is actively pursuing the construction of a hydrogen fueling network, and Mazda sent some RX-8 sports cars up for them to try out.
The biggest problem with having hydrogen powered cars is the creation of a distribution infrastructure. The gas stations that you see all over your town would have to be either replaced or retooled in order for hydrogen to become a viable fuel. And, to make matters worse, hydrogen isn’t exactly the easiest substance to transport. At regular temperatures and pressure, gasoline and diesel are liquids, while hydrogen is a gas. If you have a leak on a gas tank or pipeline, you can see the fuel spilling out. If there is a leak on a high-pressure hydrogen transfer system, you won’t see a thing, except your pressure gauge dropping, then you’ll have to check everywhere to find the leak.
Despite these hurdles, the country of Norway is pursuing the creation of a hydrogen infrastructure in a project called HyNor. The initial plans are modest and would only cover small areas of the country to begin with, but if they prove successful, hydrogen could become a more viable alternative fuel. The initial HyNor project is a 360 mile stretch of highway. Mazda is debuting their hydrogen-powered RX-8 on May 11, the day the hydrogen fueling stations along the highway open, and will begin leasing the vehicles to Norwegian residents by the end of the summer.
