Hundreds of people lined up outside waiting for their chance at getting a peak into the future.
"It feels like Columbia is really important. People are really paying attention to South Carolina because of fuel cells," said test driver Roddrick Fuentes.
The state is considered a leader in hydrogen technology and was a stop on an 18-state tour promoting the new technology. Hydrogen cars and SUVS by top automakers were available for test drives. The automakers at the tour say the hydrogen cars are the answer to America's dependence on foreign oil.
"The intentions are that they will replace what we drive today. Fuel cells take hydrogen and combines it with oxygen from the outside air. That produces water and in the process of doing that we end up creating electricity," said one engineer.
The cars still need some fine tuning, but the main reason they aren't available yet is there aren't hydrogen stations for people to fuel them.
"If there's not hydrogen stations then it makes it difficult for us to release many cars," said another engineer.
Yet in 2009 Columbia will open its first station. Advocate Shannon Baxter-Clemmons believes hydrogen cars in South Carolina would mean not only better vehicles, but a better economy.
"It means a lot of things, and that means better jobs," said Baxter-Clemmons.
Most everyone that rode in the vehicles for the first time Saturday were very impressed.
"It feels really great, very smooth, and quiet. I'd give it an "A," said Fuentes.
The tour is sponsored by the National Hydrogen Association and the U.S. Department of Transportation. It features cars made by BMW, Honda, Toyota, GM and other automakers.
AP
8/18/2008 11:23:11 PM
