2004 Hummer H2H Concept

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger On Hand to Promote Hydrogen Highway

Celebrities often play an important commercial role in the automotive world, with nearly every car company having a hook-up with a famed actor, musician, or an icon of some sort. High-status figures such as Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams and Christina Aguilera speak on behalf of new products which reflect their lifestyles, personalities and public image. Perhaps the best pairing of a star and car was made by General Motors and tough-guy actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Over the years, ex-actor and now California Governor has represented Hummer having been one of the H1s first customers, even before the massive SUVs were available to the public. Acting in movies such as Terminator and Eraser, the Austrians tough-as-nails image aligned perfectly with the unstoppable civilian version of AM Generals military issue Humvee.

Prior to the start of his political career, Schwarzenegger also helped introduce Hummers second vehicle, the H2. Although his position as Governor of California limits his ability to advertise new products, General Motors has called on Arnie to debut its latest advancement to the Hummer family, the H2H, a zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered H2.

This time around, the arrangement between Hummer and Arnold was not their traditional automaker-spokesman relationship, however, but rather Schwarzenegger used the unveiling as an opportunity to promote his California state hydrogen highway.

Over the past few months, Arnold has campaigned for his hydrogen highway project to be built, which would consist of a network of hydrogen refueling stations throughout the states main arteries. Such a move would provide a fuel source for hydrogen cars, helping complete Schwarzeneggers dream of California (and America, for that matter) becoming largely an emissions-free area within two decades.

In recent months, General Motors (Hummer especially), as well as many other automotive manufactures including DaimlerChrysler and Ford, have come under fire for producing environmentally unfriendly vehicles, gas guzzlers that emit excessive amounts of pollutants and emissions. It comes as no surprise that GM, in a bid to turn the negative image of its Hummer brand around has developed a one of a kind hydrogen drivetrain for one of the EPAs worst offenders. The H2H is off of Hummers new H2 SUT, painted in Laser Blue - a color never before seen on Hummer vehicles - and features a unique composite, sloping tonneau cover.

Despite having several different hydrogen-burning motors and fuel systems in its arsenal, General Motors took the opportunity to develop a new, more practical hydrogen drivetrain for the H2H. As opposed to conventional fuel cell vehicles, like the Ballard-powered Mercedes A-Class that runs off of a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to provide power, the H2H burns its hydrogen much like a regular car burns gasoline or diesel. Much like the Ford H2 ICE (internal combustion engine) or BMW Clean-Fuel hydrogen-powered concepts, this Hummer features hydrogen injected directly into its engines cylinder combustion chambers.

Unlike traditional fuel-cell technology, injecting liquid hydrogen into an internal combustion environment produces less than optimal power. Even with the assistance of a supercharger, the GM-designed Vortec 6000 6.0-liter V8 produces a meager 180 horsepower when run on hydrogen, only a fraction of the 316 horsepower produced by the SUVs regular gasoline-swilling powerplant. In any respect, the hydrogen-powered H2H has a hands-down advantage over the regular H2, with the only tailpipe emissions emitted being water vapor.

On the other hand, despite the H2Hs tactful, environmentally-friendly approach to using an internal combustion engine, it incorporates its fair share of problems from a design standpoint. The clean Hummer is equipped with three carbon-fiber hydrogen fuel tanks allowing for 12.1 pounds of hydrogen to be stored on board. Given the Hummers M1A1 Abrams battle tank-like curb weight, high rolling resistance, brick-like aerodynamics and a six-liter motor, its no surprise then that the fuel tanks can be drained in as little as 50 to 60 miles of driving. Seeing as there are about a dozen hydrogen refueling stations in California, running out of fuel could prove problematic.

Although the H2H shows a definite advancement in General Motors hydrogen-powered drivetrain systems, the idea of a zero-emissions Hummer has been grounded, at least for the time being. While GM will continue to pursue and develop new technologies, the company believes that the future of hydrogen vehicles lies in the hands of more efficient fuel cell technology. As with electric cars of the late 80s and 90s, GMs Impact being one of the most well received, range is the crippling factor.

While the concept is intriguing it may be some time before any ZEV Hummers will be seen on the street, but General Motors has a unique emissions-cutting program which is expected to help improve the marques tarnished image. Come spring of 2005, Hummer plans to introduce the smaller H3, a vehicle based off GMs compact pickup truck chassis (Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon). It will carry the Hummer brands trademark styling cues without the excess weight and resultant consumption. Likewise, Hummer is also expected to introduce a new diesel engine for the H1 that features reduced fuel consumption and emissions release. It too is expected to arrive sometime in spring, 2005.