Hydrogen vehicle makers still look to EU for help

Hydrogen vehicles are nimble, quiet and easy on the environment, and auto manufacturers are eyeing a commercial launch within a few years despite a lack of infrastructure for refueling stations.

But the vehicles that the European Commission has touted for their low emissions are years away from capturing anything more than a niche market.

Sales of hydrogen vehicles in Europe are expected to reach 100,000 by 2015 and 1 million in 2020, and could gain a 25% share of the total EU passenger car market in 2050, says a recent McKinsey & Company report. Today, Europe accounts for one-third of the more than 50 million automobiles manufactured each year across the world.

The Commission is expected to soon roll out new proposals to promote hydrogen and other alternative fuels and transport to reduce vehicle emissions, building on last year’s transport White Paper, which outlined a roadmap for Europe's future transport system.

Road transport accounts for one-fifth of the EU’s carbon dioxide emissions and is a leading contributor to poor urban air quality.

Industry supporters are eagerly awaiting those plans, arguing that more public involvement is needed to ensure success even in times of austerity. …

Despite the promise of electric propulsion, the internal combustion engine has a long road ahead of it. A recent report by the European Petroleum Industry Association says diesel and other liquid fuels delivery considerably higher energy density per unit consumed compared to hydrogen and natural gas—meaning fossil fuels are more efficient for heavy-duty and long-distance hauling. …

And where will all this miraculous hydrogen come from? How will we keep it from leaking in vast amounts through every seal and gasket in the system and pouring into the atmosphere (”fugitive emissions”)?

The author is correct about liquid hydrocarbon fuels — they store vast amounts of energy, the infrastructure already exists, and they are convenient. Hydrocarbon liquid fuels and ICEs will be with us a long time. None of the other systems proposed come close to their features and benefits.

The article appears to be referring primarily to fuel cells.

Hydrogen fuel cells have a number of advantages, according to Commission reports and the industry. The cars are powered from a hydrogen fuel cell that works as a self-contained charger for an electric motor, giving automobiles more power and a longer range than battery-powered electric vehicles while producing little pollution.

For automakers, existing vehicle models can be modified to accommodate hydrogen tanks and cells, reducing design costs. Many of the leading manufacturers have already produced hydrogen prototypes.

Despite earlier concerns about safety—hydrogen is highly flammable—manufacturers say tanks meet or exceed the safety standards of natural gas and petroleum tanks.

One leading challenge is that hydrogen fueling infrastructure doesn’t exist in much of Europe, meaning that most sales will be for business deliver fleets, taxis or urban dwellers with access to filling stations.

Both Germany and Britain have pushed plans to develop hydrogen filling stations, joining similar initiatives in Japan, South Korea and the United States. But across much of Europe, plans for hydrogen stations—like charging points for battery-powered cars—are skimpy.

Franc’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking is promoting infrastructure investments to prepare for demand when cars enter the consumer market. Hydrogen is easily stored and supplies in the Europe are plentiful.

The emerging industry is also counting on European leaders to provide incentives—much like those given to renewable energy—for consumers to buy hydrogen vehicles when they start to enter the market over the next decade. …

Fuel cells/electrics are not the way to go. Hydrogen will burn in a plain old internal combustion engine just like gasoline or natural gas will, with few modifications.

What they need to do is find a storage medium that will hold enough hydrogen to fuel an ordinary automobile for at least 250 miles between refuelings.

“Hydrogen vehicles are nimble, quiet and easy on the environment, and auto manufacturers are eyeing a commercial launch within a few years despite a lack of infrastructure for refueling stations.”

I bet they actually believe that they can get the green freaks off their backs if they can make hydrogen power work. LOL, idiots.

Heh. Can you imagine buying one from GM? Look for the union label...as you are blown sky high!

Really, a stupid asshole posting by a moron who clearly has no idea whatsoever of the issues involved. You need to F* off until you grow up.

Hydrogen storage for fuel cell transportation is mostly engineered in combination with borax or similar chemicals which physically hold hydrogen until needed and eliminate the potential for rapid oxidation.

Of course, any human of normal intelligence is well aware that the picture you posted had nothing to do with hydrogen at all.

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