Under a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Camp Pendleton in California has partnered with three private companies including General Motors, Ford, and Quantum Technologies to test hydrogen-powered vehicles, develop refueling infrastructure, and reduce the base’s use of petroleum fuel. The base has tested two types of hydrogen vehicles. One type is operated by hydrogen fuel cells which convert compressed hydrogen gas and oxygen to electricity, powering an electric motor. The other type has an internal combustion engine modified to burn hydrogen gas. Data collected by the vehicle’s onboard computers is used by the three partner companies to improve their hydrogen-powered vehicles. According to a Camp Pendleton fleet manager, Jim Seaman, the Marine Corps is also exploring ways to expand hydrogen fuel technology in powering forklifts and stationary generators to provide electric power for building. Read more from Oceanside-Camp Pendleton website.
