The hydrogen car may have legions of fervent fans, but Energy Secretary Steven Chu is not apparently among them. Earlier this year, the Nobel prize-winning scientist essentially zeroed government funding for the clean vehicles and came close to mocking their potential, saying the technology needs four "miracles" before it can become widely adopted.

But the hydrogen car is back. On Thursday, the Senate agreed to restore nearly all the money for hydrogen car research that the administration had proposed to cut.


The measure, part of an appropriations bill previously approved by the House, is expected to be signed by President Obama.