Originally published January 31 2005
Automakers' excitement for fuel cells is cooling; Toyota says their fuel cell cars will not arrive until 2030
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
With all the problems that fuel cells face, such as costing ten times more than a regular engine, almost complete inoperability below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and a lack of durability, Toyota's expert on fuel cells says that fuel cells will not make it into consumer autos until at least 2030. Even General Motors, who has set the goal of producing a fuel cell car for the public by 2010, is falling off from their optimism.
High-volume hydrogen-powered fuel cell cars are at least 25 years away, says Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.'s top fuel cell expert.
Even General Motors, which had been pushing for fuel cell vehicles by decade end, seems to be backing off from its goal of mass production of fuel cell vehicles by 2010.
GM just aims to have a fuel cell powertrain designed and validated by 2010.
Bill Reinert, Toyota's national manager of the Advanced Technology Group, says that without breakthroughs that cut the cost of fuel cell stacks and hydrogen-storage systems, fuel cell vehicles won't be mass produced until 2030 at the earliest.
Toyota, GM, DaimlerChrysler AG and Honda Motor Co. have been the industry leaders in fuel cell research.
All automakers are stymied by the same problems: Fuel cells powerful enough for automobiles cost roughly 10 times more than internal combustion powertrains.
Fuel cells perform poorly or not at all below 32 degrees.
They are not durable enough to last 10 years and 10,000 miles.
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