WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & Sports'Cars of the Future' Make Appearance in Scenic City

'Cars of the Future' Make Appearance in Scenic City

Chattanooga (WRCB) - A lot has changed since Warren Packard purchased his first car.

"You better believe it, my first car was a Model A Ford," said Packard.

He and dozens of other drivers had to see for themselves how hydrogen is becoming the fuel of the future.

"We've got to get off oil; we've got to get off petroleum; we've got to look at the alternatives, and we've got to move all of our energy sources in a cleaner direction," said Rep. Zach Wamp.

The only bi-product that comes from these hydrogen fueled vehicles is water, which is why experts say this is the hybrid of tomorrow.

"First few years people thought it was some sort of experiment," said Jim Frierson, UTC. "I might have thought that at first too, but a few years into there is just no going back."

Volkswagen is just one of nine automakers touring the country trying to convince drivers that these vehicles are easy to use.

"There is no learning curve with this car," said John Tillman, VW program manager. "They get in, they turn the key and they go."

Although the fueling process is high tech, don't expect a challenge. This drives just like your average sedan. Gas prices are comparable to hydrogen. Filling up costs about $3 a gallon, and it only takes a few minutes compared to powering an electric car.

So why aren't these vehicles on the road? Simply because the standards and regulations aren't there yet.

"There are 170,000 gasoline stations in the country, so there has to be a lot more than that. So it's a great start, but we need to get going on a much much bigger level," said Greg Blencoe, Hydrogen Discoveries, Inc.

Automakers are promoting what they call the fuel of the future and asking drivers and lawmakers to see it their way.

"I don't know yet," said Packard. "I've got to learn a lot more about it before I could make a major decision like that."

VW hopes to have its hydrogen-fueled car in production in the next seven to 10 years. Of course, that hinges on lawmakers approving and implementing a hydrogen system. 

Representatives say the average consumer will be able to afford a hydrogen powered car.