Manufacturers bet on the promise of hydrogen

Honda, Daimler, Toyota, GM, and Hyundai are all betting that hydrogen fuel-cell cars will play a significant role in the zero-emissions transportation system of the future.  Honda’s head of their fuel cell development group states that Honda is positioning fuel-cell cars as the “ultimate zero emission car”, a stance that contrasts the Obama administration’s push for battery vehicles.  Alan Taub, the replacement for GM’s outgoing VP of research and development and champion of fuel-cell technology, Larry Burns, remains committed to bringing fuel-cells to production by about 2012.

In spite of the Obama Administration’s proposal to slash funding for hydrogen transportation projects, and the California state legislature’s effort a zero hydrogen funding for the FY 2009-10 budget, their is plenty of reason to remain optimistic that hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will help us achieve our transportation emission reduction goals.  For starters, the US Congress voted to restore hydrogen funds, and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger restored the states ability to continue to invest in hydrogen.

From a technical standpoint, Toyota’s Highlander Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV-adv) recently achieved an estimated range of 431 miles on a single full tank of compressed hydrogen gas during a real-world driving test.  According to the calculations run by the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) this range translates to an average of 68.3 miles/kg (the approximate mpg equivalent).   For comparison, the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieves an average fuel economy of 26 mpg.  A 431 mile range, 68.3 mpg equivalent with quick refueling should meet everyone’s expectation for a fully a fully functional car.

On the infrastructure side, as California continues to move forward with it’s hydrogen fueling network, at least one country is actively working to expand its hydrogen fueling infrastructure.  By 2015, Japan plans to extend its Hydrogen Highway to the entire country, starting with dozens of field trials.  2015 also marks the year that both Toyota and Honda expect to bring to market affordable, durable fuel cell vehicles.

Honda, Toyota, Daimler, GM and Hyundai all know that hydrogen fuel-cell cars have the ability to deliver the performance and versatility consumers desire.  As a society, we just need to provide the platform for these eventual zero emissions cars to flourish.