The U.S. Department of Energy will drop its research into hydrogen powered cars, the New York Times reports. Discussing the Department of Energy’s budget, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said DOE will focus on small labs, a power plant that would turn coal into gas and separate out carbon dioxide and other projects [more details as we sift through the budget]. The New York Times notes:
The retreat from cars powered by fuel cells counters Mr. Bush’s prediction in 2003 that “the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free.” The Energy Department will continue to pay for research into stationary fuel cells, which Dr. Chu said could be used like batteries on the power grid and do not require compact storage of hydrogen.
Earlier this year, the Department of Energy specifically said hydrogen powered school buses did not have a viable future.
Given these issues [public health and fuel economy], school bus operators are increasingly receptive to new technologies, but their willingness to demonstrate and deploy advanced technologies and alternative fuels must be balanced with strict financial and operational considerations
Also online, John Whelan shows how to replace power steering hoses on a pusher school bus.
