Las Vegas NowHydrogen Cars May Have Serious Future in Las Vegas

Hydrogen Cars May Have Serious Future in Las Vegas

The City of Las Vegas says so far so good for the two prototypes of hydrogen vehicles they are now testing. With gas prices hitting record highs, the city's fleet manager says these hydrogen cars may have a serious future in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is the only desert climate these cars are being tested in. The purpose of having them here is to make sure they can withstand the valley's extreme temperatures. So far they've hit little bumps in the road.

With July being one of the hottest on record, the cars just stopped working. But the city fleet manager says its all part of figuring out how much better these cars will be for the city.

The Las Vegas City Council voted to accept a lease agreement with American Honda to test drive two hydrogen powered vehicles earlier this year. The cost was only $14,000 to the city even though each car costs more than $1 million to develop.

It's powered by the electricity generated by hydrogen and oxygen, which means no pollution from dangerous vehicle emissions. The price per gallon for this alternative fuel is $3 per gallon -- much higher than the current average price for gas per gallon in the valley.

But fleet manager Don Hyde says in the long run the city will end up saving money. "Overall costs are going to be significantly lower over time because our maintenance costs are going to go down by the nature of the fact that they burn cleaner. You don't have any of the carbon build up as you do with the conventional fuels like gas and diesel fuels."

Right next to the hydrogen pumps are another new gas alternative the city is currently testing. It's a natural gas-hydrogen blend.

Don Hyde says they are currently transitioning some of their pick up trucks to this fuel. He says it's the first step before using hydrogen in these vehicles. Plus, they're working now to extend their contract with Honda to get more hydrogen vehicle prototypes for city workers to use.

Contact Reporter Ashanti Blaize