Who has pole position in the hydrogen vehicle race?

Against a backdrop of large investments in hybrid and electric cars, you could be forgiven for thinking that automotive firms have moved the development of hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars right down their list of priorities. But while it is undoubtedly true that hydrogen continues to lag behind electric vehicles in the publicity race, many firms remain convinced that hydrogen could win out in the end and as such are continuing to invest millions in the development of new hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles.

After an initial period of testing and demonstration, many car makers, including high-profile names such as Toyota, Honda and Mercedes Benz, are now embarking on full market testing for hydrogen vehicles. They are also moving towards the development of the next generation of fuel cell cars with one eye on commercialisation, perhaps some time around the middle of the decade.

BusinessGreen.com takes a look at the leading runners in the race to develop the world's first mainstream, hydrogen-powered car.

BMW targets hydrogen hybrids

In December 2009, German car maker BMW decided to pull the plug on an experimental run of 100 hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines and concentrate on researching and developing the next generation. At the time, spokesman Tobias Hahn reported that the company had learned everything it wanted to learn from the large-scale field test and insisted they were still committed to hydrogen as the long-term alternative to conventional cars.

The company is now testing prototypes of a hydrogen hybrid based on the 1-series hatchback converted to front-wheel drive. The new system features a normal front-drive powertrain combined with a hydrogen fuel cell, electricity-storing supercapacitors and an electric-powered rear axle. BMW engineers say the new technology should surpass today's generation of petrol electric hybrids and enable drivers to travel completely without emissions in urban areas.

There is some speculation that the new drivetrain could be used in the next-generation Mini and front-wheel drive BMWs planned for 2014.

However, the system has not yet been given the go-ahead by BMW management and the company is not likely to move towards commercialisation until it is convinced that the project is financially viable and that concerns over the provision of refuelling infrastructure have been overcome.

GM moves towards Project Driveway Mark II

Beginning in 2007, GM produced a test fleet of 100 Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell cars and recruited 5,000 people to drive them over a 25-month period. The trial, known as Project Driveway, was the world's largest market test and demonstration of fuel cell vehicles, amassing almost 1.3 million miles of " everyday" driving in cities around the world.