Stockton company unveils 'hydrogen boiler' clean-energy producer

Hydrogen Technologies Inc. has something proponents say could make a dent in U.S. dependence on fossil fuels.

The Modesto-based company has patented what it calls "a revolutionary method for burning hydrogen and oxygen in a vacuum chamber to create heat and steam with no greenhouse gases." The only byproduct is water.

"It's something that's going to change the world," said Frank Ferral, program and public policy director of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, energy efficiency guru and San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization board member. An official from the company plans to meet with the chamber's Green Team.

Here's how it works according to the company: "Combustion takes place in a closed ‘dynamic’ vessel that can either be a vacuum or pressurized depending on the application. Hydrogen Technologies has a patent pending and tested a model of the combustion chamber. The ‘dynamic’ vessel may be large enough to service a power plant or very small so as to fit under the hood of a car."

Other companies are working on bringing hydrogen to the market but have made little headway. Automobile manufacturers also are working to develop cost-effective hydrogen-powered cars but have the problem of availability for roadside refills.

Burnaby, British Columbia-based Ballard Power Systems Inc. brought hydrogen power to this year's Winter Olympics, proving the fuel can be used efficiently. The company showed off its various technologies, including hydrogen-powered buses.

Expect to see more in this realm, especially when wind and/or solar is teamed with hydrogen-producing technology to make a fully operational clean energy production line that isn't at the mercy of Mother Nature.

Frito-Lay purchases Stockton, Calif.-built electric trucks

Electric Vehicles International is at it again.

The Stockton, Calif.-based company has inked a deal with Frito-Lay North America that will send an additional five of its electric-powered EVI-MD delivery trucks to the snack food giant. Frito-Lay completed a test of one of the trucks in Alameda, Calif. and plans to use the additional trucks on routes in Northern California.

“The EVI electric vehicles give Frito-Lay another promising option to help meet our long term goal of being the greenest fleet in North America,” says Mike O’Connell, senior director of Fleet Capability at Frito-Lay, in a statement.

This is just the latest from EVI, which has been creating electric powertrains for the past 20 years. In August 2011, the company finalized a deal with UPS for 100 delivery trucks, and it hasn't slowed down. In January 2012, it expanded its California manufacturing operation with new equipment and 30,000 square feet, and in March the company announced it opened an office in Southfield, Mich., which is 15 miles north of Detroit.

EVI works to electrify U.S. commercial transport

Electric Vehicles International is busy and plans to hire additional workers.

Really.

The Stockton, Calif.-based zero-emission commercial truck builder has deals in the works with Frito-Lay North America and UPS. The orders and its development of a hybrid truck mean more jobs are on the way, adding 30 people to existing staff of 40.

Frank Jenkins, EVI vice president of sales and marketing, talks about his company's progress and why it's bullish on California and the future of electric vehicles.

The direction of the EV industry

The electrification of America's roadways has distinct components, at least from Jenkins' perspective. "When we talk about our industry, it's diverse," he says. "You have cars, light-duty trucks, then you have the heavy-duty" trucks that EVI builds.