ACCRA (Reuters Tue Aug 26, 2008) - Abolishing subsidies on fossil fuels could cut world greenhouse gas emissions by up to 6 percent and also nudge up world economic growth, a U.N. report showed on Tuesday.

Subsidies on oil, gas or coal are meant to help the poor by lowering the price of energy but the report, issued on the sidelines of a 160-nation U.N. climate meeting in Ghana, said they often backfired by mainly benefiting wealthier people.

The study said fuel subsidies totaled about $300 billion a year, or 0.7 percent of world gross domestic product (GDP).

“Cancelling these subsidies might reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 6 percent a year while contributing 0.1 percent to global GDP,” it said.

“In the final analysis many fossil fuel subsidies are introduced for political reasons but are simply propping up and perpetuating inefficiencies in the global economy,” he said in a statement.

Governments in Accra are working on the building blocks of a new climate treaty meant to be agreed at the end of 2009 to help slow warming temperatures that may bring more heat waves, more powerful storms and disruptions to water and food supplies.

ZED COMMENT: In that hydrogen fuel can be produced directly from the electrical grid and water by electrolysis, it requires no subsidy such as that enjoyed by coal mining or ethanol producers. Compared to the extensive infrastructure needed for petroleum production,  there is no need for subsidy because hydrogen production is on-site, and the electrical grid pre-exists. Elimination of all carbon fuel subsidies would both reduce pollution, and make available substantial funding for socially responsible programs. 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters Sun Aug 24, 2008) - Hydrogen fuel cell cars from nine automakers completed a 13-day cross-country trip this weekend, in the first such mass U.S. crossing for vehicles powered by a zero-emission technology still in its infancy.

But then one of the goals of the “Hydrogen Road Tour ‘08″ was to demonstrate the need to build more fueling stations if the nascent technology is to develop, said Paul Brubaker, administrator for research and innovative technology for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The industry- and taxpayer-sponsored tour stopped in 31 cities in 18 states. Backers included two hydrogen producers, Air Products and Linde, which hope to become household names if hydrogen becomes a key to transportation.

“There’s a lot of curiosity about these vehicles,” Dunwoody said near the finish line in Los Angeles on Saturday. “As we got to Allentown, Pennsylvania, people lined up and cheered.” The partnership she heads is based near California’s capital, Sacramento, and funded by public and private funds.

“There’s a hunger out there for clean, safe vehicles,” Brubaker said. “The common refrain everywhere we went was ‘Where do we get these cars.’”

The United States consumes about a quarter of the world’s oil, and imports 70 percent of its crude. Cars and trucks consume 44 percent of oil used in the country and contribute about a fifth of the carbon dioxide emissions. CO2 makes up nearly 90 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Cars on the tour came from Honda, GM, Toyota Motor Corp, Ford Motor Co, BMW AG, Daimler AG, Hyundai Motor Co, Nissan Motor Co, and Volkswagen AG.

ZED COMMENT: While fuel cell technology proves the hydrogen fuel zero emissions environmental solution, ZED engines is poised to prove that it has both the power and range of gasoline engines. ZED looks forward to joining the USA crossing tour in the near future.

ROTTERDAM (Reuters Sat Aug 23, 2008) - Six international university teams competed in the Dutch city of Rotterdam on Saturday in what was billed as a motor racing championship for hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The “Formula Zero” series aims to demonstrate the viability of zero-emission fuel cell technology, even if the average speeds of around 50 kph (32 mph) were more akin to those of a cycle race than of Formula One.

There are no emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, and the only waste product is water.

“Just getting this piece of work done is an accomplishment because it is so complicated, so difficult to build. We are so happy already. If we do win the race that’s a bonus,” said Sam Tippetts, project manager of Imperial College London’s team.

ZED COMMENT: The external combustion hydrogen fueled ZED engine greatly exceeds the power and range of the fuel cell, and is more closely associated with gasoline engines in terms of performance. ZED looks forward to competing in the Formula Zero challenge to demonstrate both the viability of hydrogen fuel and the powerful ZED engine in the near future.