As many experts and amateur alternative energy enthusiasts have long predicted, fuel cell concepts are still way far from realistic production.
The technology works, the market and demand are present, the cost is still prohibitive. As many industry insiders have been saying for decades, Hydrogen fuel cell technology is promising for the future: the distant future. Despite the potential to truly push us into carbon sobriety, manufacturers can’t seem to produce a car without a large price tag.
As recently as 5 years ago, the fuel cell vehicle made by Toyota cost in the neighborhood of $150,000 to produce. Clearly too rich for the current market. Toyota’s new $50,000 fuel cell sedan is a step closer to reality. Although still way too expensive for the average consumer, it’s a fair next step and a follow-through on their promise of introducing a fuel cell vehicle by 2015.
Why fuel cells when we have perfectly viable plug-in electrics coming to the market? For a couple reasons. First, consumers haven’t yet gotten over the whole California Air Resources Board debacle where GM introduce then subsequently assassinated the plug-in electric vehicle. Second, all-electrics are still limited to about 100 miles. This range is more than enough for 90% of commutes, but makes the long range driver and frequent out-of-towner worrisome.
However, electrics still have the advantage in my eyes. For starters, infrastructure needs to be created to support fuel cells so people can fill up with hydrogen. Conversely, electricity is run to much of the country and could easily be up-converted to support plug-ins.
You choose: Would you rather site on hundreds of gallons of compressed, volatile, flammable, explosive gas in your fuel cell vehicle or a Duracell?
Kudos and image credit to EcoGeek.
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