Hydrogen Fuel Cell Scooters Head to Hawaii?

Published: 15-Aug-2012

H2 Technologies, a developer of hydrogen production systems, has partnered with Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies (APFCT), a manufacturer of fuel cell energy systems, to bring hydrogen scooters to Hawaii. APFCT has developed the hydrogen scooters and they were recently approved for commercialization throughout China. The scooters have found a degree of commercial success in Taiwan and H2 Technologies believes that this success can be mimicked in Hawaii. As per the partnership, H2 will operate the hydrogen scooters if they can successfully enter the U.S. market.

Current plans concerning the hydrogen scooters has H2 offering them as rentals for tourists. This will be the first stage of their induction into the U.S. market. H2 will be testing the waters for the hydrogen scooters, so to speak. The scooters have tentative plans to be launched in Honolulu as soon as 2013. If the vehicles prove popular amongst consumers, H2 will likely pursue their commercialization more aggressively.

Hydrogen transportation is beginning to gain a great deal of momentum. Currently, hydrogen-powered passenger vehicles, such as sedans, have taken much of the spotlight. Fuel cells have managed to capture the favor of automakers and consumers alike due to their powerful and efficient nature. They are not without their criticisms, however, as fuel cells are quite expensive to manufacture, a fact that increases the overall price of the vehicles they are used in. Hydrogen scooters are considered a viable way to introduce hydrogen transportation to consumers more affordably. The fuel cells required for the scooters are smaller, thus more affordably produced, and require less fuel to remain operational.

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