Pastides to participate in Hydrogen Road Tour event Saturday

University President Harris Pastides will be among the area VIPs on hand Saturday (Aug. 16) to welcome 10 hydrogen vehicles to Columbia.

The 10 cars are part of the Hydrogen Road Tour, which is traveling through the state on a cross-country education and publicity tour.

The event, which is sponsored by the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance (SCHFCA), will take place at Midlands Technical College’s Beltline campus from 2 – 4 p.m.

Leaders will get a “test drive” of the vehicles around 2:30 p.m., and the public will have an opportunity to ride a Fuel Cell Segway during the afternoon. Displays, video and literature for the public to learn more about hydrogen technologies also will be featured.

The development of alternative fuels, including hydrogen, is a research priority for the University of South Carolina.

The university houses the nation’s only Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells, funded by the National Science Foundation.

The Hydrogen Road Tour is a two-week series of media, VIP and public events from Maine to California that demonstrates progress and commitment toward commercially viable, emissions-free hydrogen vehicles.

In addition to Columbia, the SCHFCA is hosting stops in the Upstate and Aiken Saturday.