| The capacity to mass produce hydrogen powered | | | | intensive and involves losses of energy at each stage |
| vehicles and the fuel required to run them has been | | | | of transformation from one form to another, such as |
| available for many years, yet industry experts still | | | | when electrical energy is converted into chemical |
| estimate that the technology is 10 to 20 years away | | | | energy to form the Hydrogen molecules. Even if this |
| from being a mainstream fuel supply. This is not due | | | | electricity was generated from clean sources such as |
| to a lack of experience by manufacturers in the | | | | solar panels, it could be used directly to charge |
| production of Hydrogen fuel cells, or vehicles that run | | | | batteries or supply a grid with greater efficiency than |
| on them. | | | | for producing Hydrogen. |
| The first Hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle was built | | | | So what is the future of the fuel cell? Fuel cells do |
| in the 1960s by General Motors in the United States. | | | | not have to run only on Hydrogen. They can be run |
| Hydrogen fuel cells were also used in space by NASA | | | | on many different fuels, including methanol and |
| in the 1960s. Given the impressive pedigree and early | | | | ethanol. Both these substances can be produced at a |
| development of this fuel, why is it not yet a | | | | far lower electricity cost than Hydrogen. These fuels |
| commercial reality? | | | | do produce Carbon Dioxide emissions however, |
| The facts are that Hydrogen is a very dangerous | | | | though these could be neutralized by use of biofuel |
| substance, and these dangers are present not just at | | | | crops to produce the fuel in the first place. |
| the consumer end but all the way through | | | | Unless we are able to produce virtually limitless |
| production, transportation and storage. A tank of | | | | amounts of energy the Hydrogen economy is unlikely |
| pressurized Hydrogen in many ways the same as a | | | | to emerge. Our time would be better spent |
| time bomb. Any damage to the structure of the | | | | discussing the serious development of the Ethanol |
| vessel containing the Hydrogen could result in a | | | | economy. This technology is proven, safe and far |
| powerful explosion, even from relatively small tanks | | | | cheaper than its Hydrogen counterpart and can be |
| like those that would be fitted to automobiles. | | | | easily mated with current battery powered electrical |
| There is also the issue of using electricity to produce | | | | systems. |
| Hydrogen in the first place. This itself is quite energy | | | | |