it would appear to me that propane would be the most likely fuel simply because the pressures are easily manageable and the delivery systems exist.
To me, to focus upon cars as a way to start this market is terribly wrong. The risk is outrageous, because the cost of developing a proven safe fuel delivery infrastructure is astronomical for an enormous market that doesn't exist. IMHO, the natural initial market for fuel cells would be stationary propane applications in remote locations, where line losses and maintenance costs warranted a replacement. Then we could convert that system to LNG. Once the stationary LNG infrastructure was there, then an automotive system might make more sense.
I think that hybrid cars make a nice bridge technology to fuel cells. It creates the opportunity to develop the drive train for the day when the source is fully proven.
So what do you think of the safety issue of all those people handling LNG?
Remember, it's pressurized to some 2,000 psi in order to become a liquid.
But somehow the public may be under the impression that a new, pollution-free energy source exists.
It's not true. We can't drill a hydrogen well. Hydrogen has to be manufactured, and it will necessarily require more energy to do so than the hydrogen produces.
We can't fool Mother Nature.