California's struggling 'hydrogen highway' plan gets new life -- and drivers will pay

San Jose Mercury News ^ | October 12, 2013 | By Paul Rogers

[Oldeconomybuyer]

In what may be California's last chance to build a "hydrogen highway," lined with thousands of high-tech vehicles emitting nothing but water vapor from their tailpipes, Gov. Jerry Brown has approved a plan to construct 100 hydrogen fueling stations across the state by 2024.

Only a year ago, the California Air Resources Board required Big Oil to pay for the new stations. But after oil companies threatened to sue, Brown agreed to a compromise in which the costs of building hydrogen stations will be shifted to car owners through existing vehicle registration fees.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

What exactly do journalists mean by "big oil". Do they fill their cars with gas only from "little oil"? Heat their home with "teeny oil"?

[mountainlion]

Do they still make hydrogen form natural gas and waste the co2 to the atmosphere like before. Overall the plan would put more pollution into the air than a regular car.

[cripplecreek]

Brown agreed to a compromise in which the costs of building hydrogen stations will be shifted to car owners through existing vehicle registration fees.

Good, keep the disaster in California.

[bboop]

Ahhh, the Moonbeam is back. The veneer of Common Sense was very very thin.

[1035rep]

“Good, keep the disaster in California.”

This is what happens when you go full libtard. I have three more years left in this liberal hell hole.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Oldeconomybuyer.

Only a year ago, the California Air Resources Board required Big Oil to pay for the new stations. But after oil companies threatened to sue, Brown agreed to a compromise in which the costs of building hydrogen stations will be shifted to car owners through existing vehicle registration fees.

That's as it should be -- arrogant limo-lib touch-holes like paying too much for cars in the first place, they can build the tiny little infrastructure. We also need to figure out how to stick them with the additional electrical generation costs for hydrogen production.

Air quality in LA would be improved if the gutless Demagogic Party would put the responsibility on LA's drivers instead of unconstitutionally (interstate commerce clause) pushing it off on everyone else. Massachusetts for example requires emissions tests (they have since the 1970s) and if the car doesn't pass, you have to get rid of it out of state, or (more likely) have it crushed -- bringing older vehicles into compliance is generally too expensive for non-Kennedys.

[Chode]

and who is it that makes hydrogen cars? what is this, chicken and egg time?

[cripplecreek]

I’m glad my state has made the turn to the right. Rick Snyder is a liberal republican but at least Michigan is fully in GOP hands.

[SkyDancer]

Pay now for something you'll maybe receive in ten years? They did something similar in Seattle with the monorail scheme. A planned monorail in King county years ahead was being paid for by registration fees. Thing is, the monorail scheme folded but the people in King count still have to pay the extra fee on their registration.

Your county government in action. Serves those liberal right.

[Signalman]

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a fraud:

http://www.dvice.com/archives/2008/07/shift_hydrogen.php

[FrdmLvr]

Sounds like California will end up looking like Seattle. Talk about climate change!

[NonValueAdded]

Irony meter pegged off-scale high

[cripplecreek]

Pay now for something you'll maybe receive in ten years?

Kinda like the $53 billion we've given the DOE for nuclear waste disposal and decades later they haven't disposed of an ounce.

[SkyDancer]

Yep.

[1035rep]

Yep, what a difference that makes. Some day Californians will realize the error of putting these democrats in charge. Once they figure it out it’s going to take decades to reverse the damage.

[jcon40]

Ah yes, legislation and spending programs on technology that is not yet Proven.

Kalifornia is the leader for such idiocy and for some reason does not understand what fools they continue to make of themselves.

I’m trying to leave this brain dead cesspool of a state but trying to sell commercial property here is about impossible. Well the weather is nice while I wait

[Mike Darancette]

AS California heads down the “Hershey Highway”.

[jmcenanly]

Have they solved the problem of Hydrogen boil off? If you remember the Space shuttles, they had to be topped off continuously before launch, as their liquid hydrogen fuel kept boiling away. the problem would be even greater in a much smaller automobile fuel tank. You wouldn’t be able to leave it parked very long

[The Antiyuppie]

“Brown agreed to a compromise in which the costs of building hydrogen stations will be shifted to car owners through existing vehicle registration fees.”

So, the motorists in CA get to sue?

Vote With Your Feet. Leave.

[spokeshave]

How much does a Hydrogen fuel cell bus cost....?

Over $2 million because they are now virtually hand made. An order for only 100 fuel cell buses would reduce the cost to $1 million or less. Higher production volumes will reduce the cost more. A standard diesel bus costs about $400,000 and a standard hybrid costs about $550,000.

From the SF report....also they are constantly breaking down

I guess we will be able to ride in hydrogen style to Button Willow to catch the high speed train to nowhere