The US Military is always looking for ways to enhance, adapt and alter the ways our freedoms are protected. Part of this process involves funding and testing new and exciting technological advancements. In its search for a more affordable and abundant energy source, hydrogen fuel cells have been given a green light.
The U.S. Army has unveiled a fleet of 16 fuel cell powered vehicles from GM, that will be used to evaluate the technology’s effectiveness in real-world scenarios. Each separate branch will be conducting its own tests. The project is being funded by the Office of Naval Research and Air Force Research Laboratories (ONR), Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) and the Army Tank Automotive Research Development Engineering Center (TARDEC).
Charles Freese, GM executive director of Global Fuel Cell Activities said, “Operating these vehicles will provide the military with the necessary data and experience to determine future applications of fuel cell technology.”
With the Department of Defense spending over 17-billion dollars on fuel in FY2008, the move to hydrogen would not only reduce oil dependence, but could reduce spending as well.
