GM H2H Hummer

General Motors is making strides in the alternative fuel vehicle market, but none of these vehicles has gotten more press or excitement than the H2H Hummer SUT (Sport Utility Truck). This bold experimental vehicle runs on hydrogen and its waste emission is water vapor.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger fuels up the General Motors H2H Hummer

On October 14, 2004, GM rolled out this modified H2H Hummer with the help of California’s governor to demonstrate not only the viability of hydrogen fuel but also the environmental and economic factors as well.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger drove the H2H Hummer to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to open the state’s first retail hydrogen fueling station that would be available to the public as well as private businesses. While there have been no plans to mass-produce this modified GM H2H Hummer, the goal has been to learn more about hydrogen and how to develop storage and refueling capabilities for a “greener” vehicle.

According to Schwarzenegger, “The H2H is a bold experiment that along with the Hydrogen Highway Network will help California demonstrate the economic and technical viability of hydrogen. Californians invent the future and the H2H shows that a vehicle of today can run on the fuel of tomorrow.”

Schwarzenegger was criticized by the press for his showmanship of arriving in the H2H Hummer but leaving in a vehicle with a better refueling range than the H2H’s mere 60 mile per tank range. Governor Schwarzenegger was the first civilian to own a gasoline powered Hummer and currently owns three. Because of his current political status, though, the governor is being driven around by California’s CHP and the Hummers stay garaged.

Partnered with Quantum Technologies of Irvine, California GM’s engineers from the U. S., Canada and Germany created this modified 6.0 liter Vortec V-8 engine for the Hummer. Special fuel injectors were designed to deliver the hydrogen fuel efficiently. And, because hydrogen decreases the power in the engine naturally, a supercharger was installed to boost the engine to 180 horsepower. While that type of power is decent, it is not near the normal 325 horsepower of the gasoline version of the Hummer engine. The H2H Hummer is being housed near the Quantum facility.

Onboard the GM H2H Hummer, there are three 5000 psi carbon fiber tanks, which hold the compressed hydrogen. One tank is in the cargo bed and the other two are located where a gas tank is normally located in a vehicle. In order to refuel the vehicle with hydrogen, there are connectors located in the back bumper which leads to the container in the cargo bed and as well as the two standard places where gas tanks normally are.

For each pound of hydrogen fuel, it is estimated that the GM H2H Hummer can travel five miles. This experimental vehicle can hold up to twelve pounds of hydrogen fuel and therefore can travel up to 60 miles before refueling is necessary. While this hydrogen-fueled GM H2H Hummer won’t be mass produced, it has been an excellent tool in informing the public about alternative fuel sources for the future.

 

Written by Hydro Kevin Kantola