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Hydrogen could deliver one fifth of world carbon cuts by 2050, industry says

BONN, Germany — Increasing the use of hydrogen in power, transport, heat and industry could deliver around one fifth of the total carbon emissions cuts needed to limit global warming to safe levels by mid-century, a report by the Hydrogen Council said on Monday. To encourage industries to use hydrogen, Toyota and Air Liquide helped set up the Hydrogen Council, a global lobby launched in January this year. Its 27 members include automakers Audi, BMW, Daimler, Honda and Hyundai, and energy firms such as Shell and Total. The council said using hydrogen for transport, energy generation, energy storage, industry, heat and power could cut annual carbon emissions by 6 billion tonnes by 2050. "This would ... contribute roughly 20 percent of the additional abatement required to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius," the council said in a report released on the sidelines of a U.N. climate conference in Bonn. To achieve a two-degree limit this century agreed by governments in Paris in 2015, the world must reduce energy-related carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2050. The report said one in 12 cars sold in California, Germany and Japan were expected to be powered by hydrogen by 2030. By 2050, hydrogen could power 400 million cars, 15 million to 20 million trucks, around 5 million buses, a quarter of passenger ships and a fifth of non-electrified train tracks, as well as some airplanes and freight ships. Achieving this shift in transport and other sectors would require investment of $280 billion by 2030, with about $110 billion to fund hydrogen output, $80 billion for storage, transport and distribution, and $70 billion to develop products. Fuel cell vehicles combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity to power an electric motor, producing water as a byproduct. However, making hydrogen from fossil fuels, a common route, also produces some greenhouse gas emissions. So far the take-up of hydrogen vehicles is tiny and industry experts say their wider use is years away, with high purchase prices and a lack of refueling stations the major barriers. But some firms, such as miner Anglo American and carmaker Toyota, are pushing for fuel cell cars to play a role even with the rise of battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs). Woong-chul Yang, vice chairman of automotive research and development at Hyundai said EVs and hydrogen fuel cell cars were needed because EVs were better for city driving and fuel cell vehicles better for longer journeys.

Recharge Wrap-Up: LAPD gets Zero MMX, Chevy's new inverter, Hyundai Tucson's new powertrains

Some police in Los Angeles will be riding Zero MMX electric motorcycles on duty. The LAPD is adding the fully electric police/military all-terrain bikes to its patrol fleet. According to Officer Steve Carbajal of the department's off-road unit, "It costs less than 50 cents to charge compared to using gallons of gas, maintenance is simple, and the community appreciates how quiet they are." The electric bikes, with their lack of noise and a headlight the rider can turn off, also have the benefit of stealth, giving the officers what Carbajal calls "an added tactical advantage." The MMX also has swappable batteries, is designed for quick ignition and has power reserve capabilities so the rider won't be caught with a dead battery while chasing down a perp. Read more at Ride Apart. Remember when it seemed like we'd never run out of oil, and giving your buddy five bucks for gas was actually a worthwhile gesture? Drivers of classic cars in Detroit were able to fill up their tanks at gas prices corresponding to their model year, thanks to a promotion by Hagerty Insurance for National Collector Car Appreciation Day on July 11. That meant prices from 21 to 90 cents a gallon, as the cars that showed up ranged from the years 1929 to 1989. That's about as affordable as charging your EV. Head over to Autoweek for more details and some photos from the event. The next-generation Chevrolet Volt will likely benefit from a new inverter being developed by General Motors. GM is about two-thirds of the way through the development of the new inverter, which should be ready in January 2016. The inverter, which has a peak output of 55 kilowatts a continuous output of 33 kilowatts, will be adaptable for use in other GM vehicles. Chevrolet is working to reduce the Volt's production costs by $10,000 per vehicle, which should make it more affordable, and the new inverter could help reach that goal should it make its way into the car. Read more at Green Car Reports. Hyundai is likely planning some interesting powertrain changes for the 2016 Tucson, says Green Car Reports. Plug-in hybrid? Maybe. Diesel? Probably not. "We are covering the waterfront on all alternative fuel strategies, from standard hybrid, to plug-in, battery-electric, and fuel cell," says Hyundai's US Chief Dave Zuchowski.

Recharge Wrap-up: "E-Mobility Thought to the End" project, Tesla owner tracks stolen car

A Tesla owner helped police track her stolen Model S and catch the thief. Katya Pinkowski of Vancouver, BC found her car missing after a concert, and she was able to track the car's movements with the Tesla app. She relayed the information to the police, who surrounded the car and arrested the driver. "High tech definitely played a helping role," in arresting the suspect, says Richmond RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dennis Hwang. In what appears to be the first Tesla theft in Canada, Pinkowski accidentally left an electronic fob in the car, giving the thief easy access. Read more from The Province. Hyundai has delivered a shipment of 50 ix35 (Tucson) Fuel Cells for distribution in Europe. Europe's largest ever shipment of the hydrogen-powered vehicles puts the count at over 250 of the ix35 Fuel Cells shipped to Europe so far. "This latest landmark delivery enhances our leading position in the roll-out of fuel cell vehicles in Europe," says Hyundai Europe COO Thomas Schmid. "With our fuel cell distribution network growing to 13 European countries, we are enhancing our sales and customer service capabilities, making fuel cell electric vehicles more accessible for customers throughout Europe." Read more in the press release from Hyundai. Daimler, The Mobility House, Getec and Remondis are partnering to connect the world's largest second use battery storage unit to the grid. As part of their "E-Mobility Thought To The End" project, retired EV batteries are being used in the 13-MWh storage unit to help stabilize the grid and help manage energy fluctuations from renewable sources. It serves as another step in the life of the battery before recycling, where the materials from the lithium-ion batteries re-enter the production process. This helps reduce the environmental impact and the costs of electromobility. Read more in the press release below. E-mobility thought to the end: World's largest 2nd-use battery storage unit set to connect to the grid • Cooperation between Daimler, The Mobility House, GETEC and REMONDIS completes the battery value creation cycle • Re-use of electric vehicle batteries improves environmental performance and the lifecycle costs of e-mobility • 13-megawatt battery storage unit to connect to the grid in early 2016 • Levelling out fluctuations in the power grid as an active contribution towards the energy revolution The world's largest 2nd-use battery storage unit will soon go into operation in the Westphalian town of Lunen.