Alchemy Enterprises, Limited of Scottsdale, Arizona is coming out with a bus that will run on hydrogen-on-demand. Backed by a $12.5 million placement from Brookstreet Securities of Irvine, California, Alchemy is acquiring a hydrogen bus from Hydrogenics Corporation of Ontario, Canada and refitting it with their own Hydratus system.

The Hydratus system does not use huge tanks of compressed or liquid hydrogen as do other cars, trucks or buses on the road. The Hydratus system uses a mix of magnesium and water and creates hydrogen as needed.

Only about half a cup of hydrogen is stored at any one time in the vehicle, making this an added safety feature. The hydrogen-on-demand that is created is then run through a fuel cell, which creates electricity to power the bus.

Alchemy plans to use the bus for an educational tour to promote hydrogen technology and to let people know that they are changing their name to Ecotality. The name change is an effort to align the company with its focus on environmental technologies. The bus, when it rolls out in December 2006, is to be called the “Ecotality Learning Center.”

Filed under: Hydrogen Vehicles