Create a free Manufacturing.net account to continue

Cross-Country Car Trip Used Only Solar, Hydrogen

Middle Tennessee State University fuels researcher Dr. Cliff Ricketts drove into Long Beach, Calif., having used only solar power and hydrogen to power his car. Ricketts and backup driver Terry Young of Woodbury finished their six-day journey Thursday afternoon. Ricketts said the accomplishment showed vehicles all over the country can be run on the sun and water.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) -- A Tennessee college professor is celebrating his coast-to-coast trip using no petroleum fuel.

Middle Tennessee State University fuels researcher Dr. Cliff Ricketts drove into Long Beach, Calif., having used only solar power and hydrogen to power his car. Ricketts and backup driver Terry Young of Woodbury finished their six-day journey Thursday afternoon.

Ricketts said the accomplishment showed vehicles all over the country can be run on the sun and water. The hydrogen was derived from water through solar means on the MTSU campus.

Ricketts said he achieved his 25-year-long goal of going cross-country using no gasoline and credited a deep team of helpers in the effort.

More in Energy