I haven't written about hydrogen power in a while. I said last July, "[Scientists should] present a plan by which we can use fuel efficent cars now to achieve the desired effect in the meantime while we move towards fuel cells."

How about both?

The problem with building an engine that uses conventional gasoline (in this case, diesel or jet fuel) to replenish fuel cells means we still rely on oil. It also means that the byproducts of the engine are still carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulphur, the stuff that makes cars bad for the environment in the first place.

However, it seems that this engine would travel three-times further on a tank of gas than an internal combustion engine. That's better gas mileage than current hybrid vehicles. This is more than just a baby step towards a hydrogen economy -- it's a toddler step. Get fuel cells in the marketplace, then figure out ways to replenish the fuel cells directly while slowly weaning the planet off of oil. Then you can have all of the SUVs you want without damaging the environment. Ta-da.

If you read the article (as they say in nerd speak, RTFA), you'll see the other reason why this idea is going to take off -- the military is backing it. Better fuel efficiency for blitzkreiging means better fuel efficiency for soccer practice. Like I said, it's a toddler step; like a toddler, prospects are getting better, but there's still a lot of screaming "MINE!"