The military has chosen Oahu’s highways as the proving ground for its first large-scale test of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
The Army is scheduled to unveil 16 Chevrolet Equinox SUVs today during a ceremony at Fort Shafter as part of the military’s long-range goal to reduce its dependence on petroleum-based fuel.
Hawaii was chosen for the test for several reasons, including the limited driving distances on the island, exposure to humidity and salty air, and the concentration of military bases, project officials said.
All branches of the armed forces will have access to the SUVs, which will initially be powered by hydrogen from fueling stations at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii. A third hydrogen fueling station is scheduled to open at Schofield Barracks this summer.
The vehicles will be used in motor pools and in other administrative applications, said Maj. Gen. Roger Mathews, U.S. Army Pacific deputy commander.
"Hawaii has a lot of different terrains and environments where the vehicles can be tested," Mathews said. "Ultimately we see that as an advantage for this kind of test."
If all goes well the hydrogen fuel cell technology could eventually be adapted for combat vehicles, he said. The information gathered from the test will be useful both to the military as it explores greater use of hydrogen-powered vehicles, and to General Motors as it refines the technology, Mathews said.
The $3.6 million Hawaii test is part of a broader $16 million program funded by the Army Tank Automotive Research Development Engineering Center, the Office of Naval Research and Air Force Research Laboratories.
The military makes hydrogen in a facility at Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam by extracting it from water using electrolysis, said James Muldoon, science officer, U.S. Army Pacific. The electricity used in the electrolysis process is generated by solar panels, he said.
The hydrogen is pumped into a pressurized tank in the vehicle. The fuel cell converts it into electricity to power the vehicle, Muldoon said. An Equinox with a full tank of hydrogen has a range of about 200 miles, he said.
Separately, The Gas Co. is producing hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles using a different process. The Gas Co. generates hydrogen as part of its production of synthetic natural gas. The company hopes to eventually deliver the hydrogen to vehicle fueling stations on Oahu via the company’s network of 1,000 miles of underground pipelines.
The Gas Co., which also is working with General Motors, will dedicate a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle service facility Thursday at its offices on Kamakee Street. The facility will be used to test and maintain GM fuel cell vehicles in Hawaii.
