Important Innovations

  Classic Toyota Sports Cars Fueled With Hydrogen                                                  Source:  Toyota Hydrogen Powered Combustion Engines Toyota is leading the way among global automakers in the experimental use of hydrogen to fuel even combustion engines in several of its classic cars.  Here are the pertinent facts: Two, iconic 1980's Corolla Sport AE86's combustion engines have been converted to run on electricity and hydrogen in a classic restomod Toyota says the AE86's original 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine needed just a "few modifications" to run on hydrogen The AE86 is a pure EV with a battery pack from a Prius plug-in and an electric motor from a Tundra hybrid's powertrain Most EVs power the wheels directly but Toyota directly connected the motor to the EVs 5-speed manual transmission to keep the feel of a sports car Other Toyota hydrogen projects include a V8 with Yamaha, hydrogen powered semi-trucks and a concept car, Corolla Cross Toyota b

  BMW i Hydrogen Next Source:  BMW i Hydrogen Next Sustainable Driving BMW has started road testing its hydrogen fuel cell car in "everyday conditions" on European roads.  The vehicle is called the BMW i Hydrogen Next.  It is all electric and uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in the fuel cell.  The vehicle has a hydrogen fuel cell drive train.  BMW believes that hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to "supplement internal combustion engines, plug in hybrid systems and battery electric vehicles within BMW's flexible drive train strategy."  They are betting on this new, developing technology. Very Extensive Road Testing The hydrogen vehicle is being tested for safety, efficiency and reliability.  BMW will determine how effectively the CO2-free drive train, model-specific chassis technology and the car's electronic system work together in real world travel circumstances.  If all goes well, BMW will produce a small series, hydrog

Charging as Quick as Pumping Gas Source:  University of Glasgow - Scottish Battery Tech New Supercharge Battery A team of scientists from the University of Glasgow in Scotland have developed a new battery technology that charges electric and hydrogen powered cars in seconds.  It could make these renewable, alternative energy vehicles real contenders. Nano-molecu les This battery breakthrough is a big deal because currently it takes hours to charge electric cars. The new Scottish system uses nano-molecules that allow energy to be stored and then outputted as electricity or hydrogen gas.  Both are emissions free. "Exotic Rust" According to the scientists, the secret ingredient in their battery breakthrough is "exotic rust".  It's a metal oxide that when added to water can be charged with electricity.  The battery is at the prototype stage. Fill-er-Up The new technology allows electric or hydrogen car refueling much the same as getting gas at a