News 12 @ 6 o'clock -- August 17, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga--Driving down the road you might not notice you're riding next to a hydrogen powered car. That's because these cars look normal, but they're quite extraordinary.

"This entire car runs on electricity, " said Matthew Forrest of Mercedes-Benz.

Matthew Forrest has been driving the Mercedes-Benz hydrogen car across the country for the hydrogen tour and says one of the benefits of the car is that it runs off a fuel cell instead of a motor.

"Essentially what a fuel cell is it's a device that runs on a hydrogen tank and oxygen from the air and it creates electricity and water, " said Matthew.

Auto makers involved in the switch to hydrogen include BMW, Nissan, Mercedes Benz and Hyundai. With the switch, drivers won't have to worry about things like oil changes and engine tune ups; and this even gets some politicians excited.

"It's extremely important to us in our part of the country that we begin to invest now in the technology that can get us where we want to go as cheaply and sustainably as possible, " said Congressman John Barrow.

These cars can get at least 54 miles to the gallon and they don't harm the environment. That's why Matthew says more people should be willing to invest in a hydrogen car.

"It's good for the environment in that there are less emissions being created to transport it. Hydrogen doesn't make any emissions itself when consumed inside a fuel cell vehicle, " said Matthew.

Just one more reason why these auto makers can't wait to get hydrogen cars on the market and on the road.

Hydrogen cars are expected to hit the market between 2010 and 2015. But fueling them in Augusta could be a problem. The closest station in the works is in Columbia and won't be finished until next year.

Engineers say the equivalent price per gallon could be around $3.50. But the good thing about it is that you won't have to worry about the spike and fluctuations ias we're seeing gas prices. That price would be a lot more stable since hydrogen can be made locally.