SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida will be showing off two new Ford F-450 hydrogen shuttle buses starting today. The shuttle buses will tote tourists between the three properties of Aquatica, Discovery Cove and SeaWorld.
According to BizJournals, “SeaWorld will use the vehicles for the first time Feb. 20, when a team of employees will travel to Osceola County to clean up the banks of Shingle Creek.” In January 2007, I had talked about a ChevronTexaco hydrogen fueling station opening near the Orlando International Airport, which is the likely place for these shuttle buses to refuel.
The other alternative would be a second hydrogen fueling station, 10 miles away in the town of Oviedo. A couple of months ago, I had talked about how Florida was stepping up its game in the hydrogen arena, with cars, houses and fueling stations now using this zero emissions alternative fuel (or energy carrier as some like to say).
But, the SeaWorld hydrogen shuttle is very poetic in a sense. A theme park devoted to water, conservation and environmentalism is a natural partner with a hydrogen vehicle. A what better way to get the message of clean hydrogen vehicles out than in a high profile place such as SeaWorld.
Now, if we could just get a big old “H2” logo on the side of Shamu, we’d be all set.