While the production of hydrogen results in lost energy, Pivovar says that the use of hydrogen in a fuel cell vehicle provides much more oomph than gasoline.

FORBES: Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles Could Emerge From Traffic

The company has delivered a carefully worded pledge: GM will develop a hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicle that could compete on cost with traditional vehicles-if it were to be built in high volumes-by 2010.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Also a type of electric vehicle, a fuel-cell car takes hydrogen gas and converts it into electricity, while emitting only water vapor.

CNN: Hydrogen fuel-cell cars look to overtake electric autos

The plasmatron probably wouldn't be able to power a fuel-cell vehicle by itself or eliminate the need for hydrogen-fueling stations but, say the engineers, it could be a bridge to hydrogen technology.

FORBES: Clearing the Air

And many electric utilities have facilities that create hydrogen power, but consumers can't just pull in with a fuel-cell vehicle and say, "Fill 'er up!"

FORBES: Fueling Hope