Have you ever heard of Bajaj Auto, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra & Mahindra, Eicher Motors or Tata Motors?  No?  These are the names of some of the biggest players in India's auto industry and they recently joined together to develop hydrogen-blended compressed natural gas vehicles (that's HCNG for short).

Right now new vehicles running various hydrogen blends are still in the testing stages, but by mid-2008 the test results will be in and these manufacturers will be ready to roll-out new, cleaner vehicles.

Now you might think, "This is in India, what the heck does this have to do with me here in my cushy loft overlooking the bay?"

Well, for one it's an astonishing example of cooperation that we will never see in America.  America's "Big 3" continue to lobby the government to prevent stricter emissions standards and the only thing they can agree on is that cars have 4 wheels.  Meanwhile, over in India their biggest auto manufacturers have banded together and are working with the India Oil Company and the government to bring alternative fuel vehicles to market as quickly as possible.

Is HCNG the perfect fuel?  Probably not, but if it can fasttrack emissions reductions in India while other technologies are being developed then it's certainly better than continuing to use the same old fuel as before!

» India Times

General Motors just announced that, in partnership with the Chinese government, it is launching a quarter-billion dollar research facility in Shanghai, China that will conduct research into vehicle development and alternative fuels.

GM has also announced that it will begin selling hybrid vehciles in China in 2008 using engines manufactured in China.

(yawn) So it's not exciting news.  Heck, I couldn't even be bothered to come up with an amusing Photoshop of Mulan standing in front of a Chevette.

China already has a pollution problem.  Shouldn't improved zero-emissions transit be the priority for this superpower nation instead of more cars?

» Industry Week