Hydrogen ATV

Hydrogen all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are being developed for recreational and military use. With the advancements in hydrogen fuel cell technology is makes sense that many different types of vehicles are being developed. Much emphasis has been on hydrogen cars and to a less extent, hydrogen motorcycles.

Hydrogen ATV - PSA Peugeot Citroen Quark, left and Quantum Aggressor, right

But for recreational or military use you just can't beat an ATV for getting to where you need to be. PSA Peugeot has developed the Citroen Quark as a recreational vehicle like no other. The Quark is a futuristic 2-seater hybrid hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that may just be too pretty to take off-road!

The PSA Peugeot Citroen Quark carries a 1.5 kw PEM fuel cell and NiMH battery pack with four electric motors driving each wheel. One of the coolest features of the Quark is that you just switch tanks when its time to refuel, which takes less that one minute.

The military has a different take on using hydrogen ATVs. The U. S. Army and other branches of the military are interested in hydrogen ATVs because of their maneuverability and stealth operations. Fuel cell vehicles do not leave the same heat footprint as do conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.

The Quantum Aggressor is one such vehicle. Developed by Quantum Fuel Systems out of Irvine, California for the Army, the Aggressor can reach speeds of zero to 40 twice as fast as the gasoline counterpart, with a top speed of 80 mph.

The Quantum Aggressor is not only capable of getting to its destination quickly, but once there it has the equipment for communications, targeting and surveillance operations. The Aggressor is also very quiet and does not produce any emissions as it typical of a fuel cell vehicle.

Look for many more hydrogen ATVs to be rolled out as the hydrogen infrastructure gets going within the next couple of years. California, New York, Michigan, Florida and a few other states currently have some hydrogen fueling stations in place, so this is most likely where the first commercial sales of hydrogen ATVs will take place.