Ceilidh

Michael Zey
futurist3000@aol.com

By TOM CHORNEAU
.c The Associated Press

DAVIS, Calif. (AP) - After tooling across a university campus in a sport utility vehicle propelled by a clean-burning hydrogen engine, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared Tuesday that California will have a statewide network of stations offering the pollution-free fuel within six years.

The pledge, which the governor has made before, was formalized in an executive order he signed at the University of California, Davis - site of one of the country's most advanced centers for the study of alternative transportation.

Although many industry experts say the governor's plan for 200 hydrogen stations is ambitious - and would cost an estimated $100 million - Schwarzenegger said he believes the technology is available and government must help make the new fuel system a reality.

Schwarzenegger's order calls on state agencies to work with private companies and research coalitions to build the station network. He said he'll support legislation to create tax incentives or public financing proposals if necessary.

Like the Toyota Highlander that Schwarzenegger drove on the Davis campus, a number of auto manufacturers have built special fuel cell test vehicles. Instead of using gasoline, fuel cell cars have engines that rely on the chemical reaction caused when hydrogen and oxygen are mixed. The reaction produces electricity that powers the vehicle.

The vehicle Schwarzenegger drove can go about 120 miles before needing a fill up, according to Ken Kurani, a UC Davis research engineer.



04/21/04 00:35 EDT