Forget Hydrogen, Electric, Hybrids, etc. The future is compressed air (<a class="user" href="http://www.theaircar.com/index.html).">http://www.theaircar.com/index.html).</a> What are the downsides? It's cheap, plentiful, and fillable in a couple of minutes for little-to-no money. Best part, it's dependent on our already ubiquitous power grid that will, now and in the future, be powered by a diverse set of renewable/traditional energy sources (wind, tidal, solar, nuclear, coal, gas, hydro, etc.)This, to me, is the technology that'll power our personal transport of the future. Everything else is just a 'land grab' that keeps you hooked on buying commodities (batteries, hydrogen, etc.).
The hydrogen-FCX has been available for lease from Honda since 2002 (the original FCX concept was shown in 1999); however this is the first time that a truly usable car is up for lease, moreover you can lease this car without a team of scientist following you around. Kudos to Honda, this car likely to hundreds of millions to bring to market and they won't be making money off of this, its an investment in future technology.
You may mean me, I have made several such posts. I am in favor of alternative fuels, it's just that Hydrogen is a scam, a diversion so we will stop thinking about electric cars. An FCV is an electric car, including batteries, with a hydrogen tank on top, so the petro companies will still have their hands in our pockets. Skip the hydrogen tank, get an EV. A battery electric car with the same driving range as an FCV will always weigh less, and cost less to fuel. Ten-minute recharge batteries negate the only advantage hydrogen may have. See:<a class="user" href="http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?BzID=546&ResLibraryID=21772&Category=987">http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView ...</a>
One reason would be that batteries tend to be made from rather nasty chemicals. A second reason would that the batteries have a relatively short life and must be replaced at great expense. A third reason would be that it is possible to quickly refill a hydrogen tank with fuel when away from home whereas recharging batteries may take some time and exchanging them for full ones would be both risky (the replacement batteries may be older) and time consuming.If it were not for the heavy tanks that hydrogen vehicles currently employ, the weight of the batteries could have also entered the argument.
Good reply, I do agree, in the fact that EVs are the way to go right now, but I do believe we can not ignore the most abundant resource on the planet. EVs need to be our first step go get off of directly paying the "Big OIL" guys but the energy still comes from somewhere, thus I believe in keeping our hands deep in Solar, Hydrogen, and all other "greener" techs.
Hydrogen is NOT the most abundant resource on the planet. There is no free hydrogen available anywhere on this planet. You want hydrogen, you must expend energy to get it - more energy than it will ever give back. Therefore, it is not a source of energy at all, it is the equivalent of a battery. A less efficient battery, in fact than any other battery technology out there. You are correct, the 'energy must come from somewhere', and in hydrogen's case, it takes MORE of that energy than just using a plain battery. So what is the appeal of hydrogen, exactly? The oil companies like it because they can make it from oil, and run the hydrogen infrastructure. Why should you and I like it?
The guys at Tesla are geniuses, I am considering leaving my current job to work at the soon to be built factory here in New Mexico. I would love to be part of that revolution too.
The only issues with 'hydrogen' powered vehicles at the moment is the relative inefficiency for the costs, and the fact that gas stations don't store hydrogen, at least not very many of them. All of the fuel companies would have to restructure their entire system to fit stations with hydrogen pumps, which is a massive cost/investment.Maybe by 2015-2020 we'll start to see more tangible results when it comes to Hydrogen fueled cars. My guess is a country in Europe will mandate Hydrogen at all licensed gas stations, obviously setting a precedent.
While I'm primarily an electric car fan, it's good to see Hydrogen cars receiving attention. At the very least it creates a good public awareness about heavy pollution from cars. Anyone know what hydrogen costs at the pump? No one seems to mention it anywhere & I have no idea.
robertlankfordNov 29, 2007
Forget Hydrogen, Electric, Hybrids, etc. The future is compressed air (<a class="user" href="http://www.theaircar.com/index.html).">http://www.theaircar.com/index.html).</a> What are the downsides? It's cheap, plentiful, and fillable in a couple of minutes for little-to-no money. Best part, it's dependent on our already ubiquitous power grid that will, now and in the future, be powered by a diverse set of renewable/traditional energy sources (wind, tidal, solar, nuclear, coal, gas, hydro, etc.)This, to me, is the technology that'll power our personal transport of the future. Everything else is just a 'land grab' that keeps you hooked on buying commodities (batteries, hydrogen, etc.).
aegis9975Nov 29, 2007
The hydrogen-FCX has been available for lease from Honda since 2002 (the original FCX concept was shown in 1999); however this is the first time that a truly usable car is up for lease, moreover you can lease this car without a team of scientist following you around. Kudos to Honda, this car likely to hundreds of millions to bring to market and they won't be making money off of this, its an investment in future technology.
apeweekNov 29, 2007
You may mean me, I have made several such posts. I am in favor of alternative fuels, it's just that Hydrogen is a scam, a diversion so we will stop thinking about electric cars. An FCV is an electric car, including batteries, with a hydrogen tank on top, so the petro companies will still have their hands in our pockets. Skip the hydrogen tank, get an EV. A battery electric car with the same driving range as an FCV will always weigh less, and cost less to fuel. Ten-minute recharge batteries negate the only advantage hydrogen may have. See:<a class="user" href="http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?BzID=546&ResLibraryID=21772&Category=987">http://www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView ...</a>
onionyNov 29, 2007
One reason would be that batteries tend to be made from rather nasty chemicals. A second reason would that the batteries have a relatively short life and must be replaced at great expense. A third reason would be that it is possible to quickly refill a hydrogen tank with fuel when away from home whereas recharging batteries may take some time and exchanging them for full ones would be both risky (the replacement batteries may be older) and time consuming.If it were not for the heavy tanks that hydrogen vehicles currently employ, the weight of the batteries could have also entered the argument.
falkonv7lNov 29, 2007
Good reply, I do agree, in the fact that EVs are the way to go right now, but I do believe we can not ignore the most abundant resource on the planet. EVs need to be our first step go get off of directly paying the "Big OIL" guys but the energy still comes from somewhere, thus I believe in keeping our hands deep in Solar, Hydrogen, and all other "greener" techs.
apeweekNov 29, 2007
Hydrogen is NOT the most abundant resource on the planet. There is no free hydrogen available anywhere on this planet. You want hydrogen, you must expend energy to get it - more energy than it will ever give back. Therefore, it is not a source of energy at all, it is the equivalent of a battery. A less efficient battery, in fact than any other battery technology out there. You are correct, the 'energy must come from somewhere', and in hydrogen's case, it takes MORE of that energy than just using a plain battery. So what is the appeal of hydrogen, exactly? The oil companies like it because they can make it from oil, and run the hydrogen infrastructure. Why should you and I like it?
falkonv7lNov 29, 2007
The guys at Tesla are geniuses, I am considering leaving my current job to work at the soon to be built factory here in New Mexico. I would love to be part of that revolution too.
gsnakeDec 7, 2007
The only issues with 'hydrogen' powered vehicles at the moment is the relative inefficiency for the costs, and the fact that gas stations don't store hydrogen, at least not very many of them. All of the fuel companies would have to restructure their entire system to fit stations with hydrogen pumps, which is a massive cost/investment.Maybe by 2015-2020 we'll start to see more tangible results when it comes to Hydrogen fueled cars. My guess is a country in Europe will mandate Hydrogen at all licensed gas stations, obviously setting a precedent.
kiwievFeb 12, 2008
While I'm primarily an electric car fan, it's good to see Hydrogen cars receiving attention. At the very least it creates a good public awareness about heavy pollution from cars. Anyone know what hydrogen costs at the pump? No one seems to mention it anywhere & I have no idea.
Closed AccountDec 31, 2008
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