About that Hydrogen Powered School Bus II ...

The U.S. Department of Energy will drop its research into hydrogen powered cars, the New York Times reports. Discussing the Department of Energy's budget, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said DOE will focus on small labs, a power plant that would turn coal into gas and separate out carbon dioxide and other projects [more details as we sift through the budget]. The New York Times notes:

The retreat from cars powered by fuel cells counters Mr. Bush’s prediction in 2003 that “the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free.” The Energy Department will continue to pay for research into stationary fuel cells, which Dr. Chu said could be used like batteries on the power grid and do not require compact storage of hydrogen.

Earlier this year, the Department of Energy specifically said hydrogen powered school buses did not have a viable future.

Given these issues [public health and fuel economy], school bus operators are increasingly receptive to new technologies, but their willingness to demonstrate and deploy advanced technologies and alternative fuels must be balanced with strict financial and operational considerations

Also online, John Whelan shows how to replace power steering hoses on a pusher school bus.

Mark Your Calendar: CNG Best Practices Workshop

AFVi and NGVi have announced a best practices workshop online. The 90-minute session will examine proper maintenance of CNG infrastructure. Leo Thomason, Executive Director of NGVi and Director of Training and Consulting for AFVi, are scheduled to lead the Webinar. Topics to include:

• CNG Fueling Station Components and Their Function
• Standard Maintenance Procedures for Pressure Relief Valves, Dryers, Compressors, Control Systems, Storage and Dispensers
• How to Identify and Trouble Shoot Oil Carryover
• Solving Oil Carryover at the CNG Fueling Station

Webinar runs on Tuesday, March 24, 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT. Sign up online for $49.95. Can't wait until then? Check out this from our August 2008 issue on what it takes to fill alt fleets.

About That Hydrogen Powered Bus...

This week we look at a new report from the U.S. Department of Energy on the hydrogen-powered school bus. It seems operators looking for the next green thing are going to have to wait a bit. The technology is too expensive and not durable enough, the report notes:

"Given these issues [public health and fuel economy], school bus operators are increasingly receptive to new technologies, but their willingness to demonstrate and deploy advanced technologies and alternative fuels must be balanced with strict financial and operational considerations."

Greater availability may lead to greater viability for the alt-fuel, however. Read the whole report to Congress or a separate report that looks at progress and plans for the future [both PDFs].

In the meantime, one product, a kids' DVD on how IC Buses are made is nearly ready to ship. How'd They Build That School Bus? goes on sale later this month. A preview from our YouTube site below.