Originally Posted by Expatriate
If only it were that simple. We know that a petrol burning motor can achieve an extremely high level of volumetric efficiency, with low emissions. Witness the Honda ULEV engines. Drive one in LA, and the tailpipe is cleaner than the intake. I know emissions with hydrogen power is simply water, but how well does it burn? Alcohol and propane engines are in use, but they make very little power compared to a petrol motor. Let's say you were able to convert a Corvette to hydrogen. Yes, it would be cleaner burning, but it might only produce 80HP. I don't see conversions any time soon.
[edit] It's been a while since I've bothered reading up on this, so if someone would like to enlighten me on the properties of hydrogen gas, and its potential as an alternate fuel, I'd be happy to read what you have to post.
Well, if it was easy, anyone could do it. I would imagine a century or so ago, folks were sitting around a checkerboard in the general store discussing how those "new-fangled automobiles" were just a fad and would never replace a good old horse. Just look at us now.
As for the 80 hp Corvette, you're thinking along the lines of coverting the existing gasoline engine to burn hydrogen much in the same manner as the propane conversions you mentioned. I was thinking more along the line of something completely new...an engine designed to burn hydrogen effectively. This or something like it is a necessity, not only for cleaner air, but because of the finite amount of "petrol" available. As I've said before, it can't last forever, no matter how effiecent we make the engines.
And besides, wouldn't a 400 hp hydrogen powered Corvette be just too cool?