[BITList] hydrogen-based petrol substitute

[franka]

Wonder if the oil company's will allow this to see the light of day
frank

British <http://www.carrentals.co.uk/car-hire/unitedkingdom.html> 
scientists are refining a hydrogen-based petrol substitute, due for 
road-testing next year and available at the pumps within three to five 
years. The petrol substitute will be able to be used in all cars and 
produces no harmful emissions as it utilises hydrogen as its base rather 
than carbon. The new fuel is expected to cost around 90p a gallon, less 
than half the present cost of petrol.. The technology involves a fuel 
cell which combines hydrogen with oxygen to produce electricity. Current 
methods of string the gas, however, cause safety issues, with scientists 
working at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory getting round the problem 
by packing hydrogen into tiny beads able to be pumped like a liquid or 
poured. Stephen Volker, from the developer of the technology, Cellar 
Energy, reports early indications the micro-beads can be used in 
existing cars without needing engine modifications and confirmed the 
lack of emissions, saying the method is similar to electric cars. A 
tankfull of the petrol substitute, as yet not given a brand name, should 
last from 300 to 400 miles, similar to existing carbon-based fuel. 
However, AA president Edmund King is warning the cheap 
<http://www.carrentals.co.uk/> fuel my not be as cheap when it hits the 
pumps, saying the government is very likely to 'get its hands on it' and 
tax it heavily. Hydrogen technology of a different form is already being 
use to fuel several London 
<http://www.carrentals.co.uk/car-hire/london-luton-international-airport-about.html> 
buses, as well as being used with modifications on cars by motorists 
eager to protect the environment as well as cut down on fuel bills. 
Other alternatives to conventional petrol and diesel are in use 
worldwide, with agricultural land being given over to growing the crops, 
including sugar cane, which are used for the fuel. Concerns have been 
expressed over world food shortages as a result.
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