[ausev] "Why a hydrogen economy doesn't make sense"

[Erik Bigelow]

As much as I'm for more development in ANY electric vehicles - I
believe a rising technological tide raises all ships - I don't see the
attraction to H2. What Hydrogen is lacking is a reason for being used
at all.

>From Toyota.com:

"In a well-to-wheel comparison, a gasoline-powered Prius is actually
more efficient than a typical hydrogen-powered FCV. Toyota estimates
that Prius has a well-to-wheel efficiency of 29% versus 22% for a
typical FCV. How can this be? The answer lies in the expenditure of
energy involved in producing and transporting hydrogen."

We've already got something that gets us far, gasoline, and it's W2W
efficiency beats hydrogen.

Also from Tesla Motors:

http://www.teslamotors.com/learn_more/energy_efficiency.php?js_enabled=1

Granted both of those sources could have a conflict of interest in the
data reported, but I've heard the same thing in a college Thermal
Fluids class (basically combustion). Hydrogen may have good reasons
for being used in special applications, but doesn't make the cut for
the consumer transportation industry.

Erik

On 12/13/06, tomsmail <tomsmail at wtez.net> wrote:
> While its true that grid to batteries has a much higher
> cycle efficiency, hydrogen has one important redeeming
> quality - it can get you from point A to point B when the
> distance between them is large.  My daily driver (3600 Lb
> 4-door sedan) can go 400 miles without refueling.  Batteries
> as yet can't do that.  Why does Ulf think that THAT is a
> niche market?
>
> In the end, the predominant economy will be based on how
> much on-board STORAGE can be achieved, not by total system
> efficiency; and batteries may yet prevail.  For the short
> term, H2 has some advantages for vehicles that are not small
> single or dual occupant commuters.
>
> It's unfortunate that most of the arguments are driven by
> politics or by cults of personality against the President.
> I wish the best for both H2 FCEV and BEV transportation
> development.  In fact they will each benefit from the other.
>
> Tom
>
>
> > Physorg Article "Why a hydrogen economy doesn't make
> > sense"
> >
> > The graphic at the top is the best summary I've ever seen
> > of the  efficiency difference.
> >
> > http://www.physorg.com/news85074285.html
> >
> >
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